Song Wei noticed that Wen Wan’s expression was unusual and asked, "What’s wrong?"
Just then, the waiter brought the beef noodles. Wen Wan didn’t want to spoil his meal, so she shook her head.
Song Wei understood her temperament and didn’t ask further. He bent his head down and transferred all the beef from his bowl into hers before eating.
Wen Wan was about to glare at him when she heard the man say, "Eat well, you’ll need strength to explain later."
Wen Wan thought of the matter she had foreseen and became momentarily distracted.
When they returned to the inn, she used sign language and writing to explain for quite a while before making things clear.
In her premonition, this time the Prefecture Examination went smoothly, and the list was published quickly. However, on the day of the announcement, suddenly a student revealed that someone was cheating in the examination hall that day, and the examiner knew but didn’t report it, clearly having been bribed.
The matter escalated greatly, and the Magistrate was very angry, fearing a thorough investigation from above would affect his promotion next year. He decisively posted a notice, saying all the previous exams were void and all child students had to retake the exam.
Among them was a student who had finally passed as a child student after many years and was hoping to become a Scholar in the autumn examination. But then came this blunder, and when he heard there would be a retake, his mentality collapsed. Afraid of failing again, his mind tangled in knots, he committed suicide by jumping into the river.
The government office did not know he committed suicide and sent people to investigate the case. Many students were listed as suspects, and Song Wei was among them, taken to jail with the others.
While explaining, Wen Wan couldn’t help but be embarrassed, wondering how her husband managed to live those twenty-plus years before marrying her.
Having been married to Song Wei for over a year, Wen Wan figured it out. Unless he stayed home all the time, whatever Song Wei wanted to do was bound to end in bad luck—either something happened to him or he got involved in something.
Even when other people got into fights, which had nothing to do with Song Wei, he could still be dragged down by that damned bad luck.
Moreover, even when staying at home, Song Wei had the potential to trip and die while walking or choke to death while eating.
Since the day he was born, he’s been cursed, and it’s a miracle that he’s survived till now, Wen Wan thought.
A person like that, if he doesn’t make something of himself in the future, would defy all logic!
Song Wei saw her lost in thought and asked, "Did you see clearly who the deceased was?"
Wen Wan pondered for a moment. She didn’t see clearly, but she was sure that person was at the noodle shop just now.
Song Wei was silent for a moment, then looked up at her, "Shall we go back to check?"
Wen Wan thought it made sense. Going back might reveal which pitiful child had such a fragile heart.
As the two closed the door and reached the staircase, four or five students wearing thin robes and square scholar hats approached them. At first glance, they appeared scholarly and refined, seemingly just returning from a meal.
One of them seemed a bit drunk, walking unsteadily, and as soon as he came up, he stumbled and fell heavily.
The people in front turned their heads one after another.
"Hao Yun, can you manage or not? I told you to drink less, but you didn’t listen. Now you’re this drunk, how will you be fit for the exam in two days?"
Someone beside them laughed, "There’s an old saying, ’Wine gives courage to a coward.’ Brother Hao has always been worried about not passing the exam, hasn’t he? I say, drinking a little more might be good. With only two days until the exam, if he gets braver through drunkenness, maybe he’ll write a timeless classic and win the top spot, who knows?"
The others started laughing as well.
Regardless of intent, the laughter sounded especially mocking at this moment.
The student on the ground, called "Hao Yun," had already stood up by himself with the help of the staircase rail. Hearing his classmates’ comments, the redness on his face from drinking faded immediately.
Wen Wan clearly felt that a wave of extreme inferiority was surging within Hao Yun.
She glanced at Song Wei, clearly indicating that there was no need to return to the noodle shop. The person they were looking for was right in front of them.