Chapter 28: The Grand Gathering of Scholars

As soon as Chen Fan uttered those words, Imperial College Proctor Liu and Zhao Hongwei immediately began to eye him with strange expressions. He was dressed in patched clothing, looking nothing like a scholar at all. Could the story of the Monkey King really have been written by him? Both men wore looks of skepticism.

"Chen Fan, stop your boasting! You’ve never read a book in your life; you don't even know how to write your own name," Chen Hao sneered, his face cold with indignation. "How could this brilliant work possibly be written by you? Hurry up and tell the Proctor the truth!"

Chen Hao knew Chen Fan well. Since childhood, Chen Fan had worked as a tenant farmer and had never had the opportunity to study. How could he possibly be the author?

Chen Fan remained unperturbed by the remark and replied indifferently, "Believe what you wish." With that, he went back to selling his books, ignoring them entirely.

"You..." Seeing Chen Fan disregard him, Chen Hao felt he had lost face in front of the Proctor and moved to call him back.

"Enough. If he does not wish to speak, let us not pry. Some reclusive masters prefer not to be disturbed," Proctor Liu interjected. He, too, did not believe this young man was the author. The phrasing, the structure, and the profound philosophy embedded in the story suggested the work of a seasoned scholar who had weathered the storms of life. A youth like Chen Fan simply could not have written such a masterpiece.

Supported by Zhao Hongwei, Proctor Liu headed toward the inn.

"Proctor, my father is hosting a Talent Gala in the city tonight. Every scholar in Dongyang County, as well as those from neighboring counties, will be attending," Zhao Hongwei said with a fawning smile upon reaching the inn. "The scholars are all hoping to catch a glimpse of you."

Only a few scholars had greeted Proctor Liu that morning, which had left him displeased. Magistrate Zhao Da had devised this plan to make amends.

Proctor Liu nodded. "Since I am here to observe the students of Dongyang County, meeting them would be appropriate."

"Then please rest, Proctor. I shall come to escort you this evening," Zhao Hongwei said, bowing as he prepared to leave.

"Wait a moment," the Proctor called out suddenly.

"Is there anything else, sir?"

"Go and see if there are any new chapters of that storybook. If there are, buy a copy for me immediately." Zhao Hongwei acknowledged the order and departed.

"Young Master Zhao, the Proctor hasn't held the incident with Chen Fan against me, has he?"

As soon as Zhao Hongwei stepped outside, Chen Hao, who had been waiting, nervously approached him. While speaking, he pulled a large pouch of silver from his robes and handed it to Zhao Hongwei. Seeing this, a smile immediately spread across Zhao Hongwei’s face.

"Rest assured, the Proctor is not so petty," he said, pocketing the silver. Feeling its weight, the smile on his lips deepened. Chen Hao breathed a sigh of relief, while his hatred for Chen Fan reached a boiling point.

"Young Master Zhao, there is something you may not know," Chen Hao whispered in his ear. "This Chen Fan is the one who married the Su sisters."

Chen Hao knew that Zhao Hongwei had designs on the sisters. By revealing this, he hoped not only to curry favor but, more importantly, to use Zhao Hongwei’s influence to exact revenge on Chen Fan. He knew Zhao Hongwei’s methods; once he realized Chen Fan had stolen the woman he wanted, he would never let him go—he might even make Chen Fan disappear entirely. This was the outcome Chen Hao desired most: once Chen Fan was dead, no one would be able to threaten him again.

As expected, upon hearing this, Zhao Hongwei’s eyes turned cold.

Unaware that he had been betrayed, Chen Fan had already returned home with a heavy pouch of silver.

"Husband, you are amazing!" Upon his return, the sisters treated him like an emperor, massaging his shoulders and feet. Chen Fan closed his eyes and sighed. *Life in this feudal era is truly wonderful! I wonder what it feels like to be the Emperor? Should I give that a try?*

"Husband?" the sisters called out, hesitating. Chen Fan opened his eyes to see them looking at him with a look that suggested they had something on their minds.

"What is it? Speak your mind—why be formal with your husband?" Chen Fan said with a smile. Yingchun glanced at her younger sister, Yingxia.

"Husband, we heard there is a Talent Gala in the city tonight. Would it be possible for us to go and see it?" Yingxia gathered her courage to ask. The sisters looked at him with hopeful eyes. Chen Fan understood their hesitation. In the Great Xia Dynasty, men were superior to women, and married women were not permitted to roam the streets freely without their husband's consent. Being at an age where they loved excitement, they naturally did not want to miss the grand event.

"Of course! We shall go together tonight and see these talented scholars of Dongyang County for ourselves," Chen Fan said. The sisters jumped for joy.

As darkness fell, the sisters finished dressing. Chen Fan sighed theatrically when he saw them.

"Husband, what’s wrong?" they asked curiously.

"You look so beautiful, I fear those scholars won't be able to look away once they see you," Chen Fan chuckled. The sisters beamed with delight at his praise.

The journey to the city was filled with laughter. Dongyang County was bustling that evening, with colorful lanterns hanging from every building. The usually spacious streets were packed; it seemed Magistrate Zhao Da had put in quite the effort. The sisters were overjoyed, darting from stall to stall. Soon, Chen Fan’s hands were laden with all sorts of trinkets. *Indeed, whether in ancient or modern times, women love to shop, and they never seem to tire of it,* Chen Fan mused.

Everywhere the sisters went, they became the center of attention, as if a spotlight were following them.

"Cousin!" a small, milky voice chirped as a little girl ran over.

"Lanlan!" It was Su Wenqi’s daughter. Yingchun and Yingxia affectionately pinched her cheeks. Su Wenqi soon followed.

"Auntie," the sisters greeted. Chen Fan simply nodded in acknowledgement. For some reason, Su Wenqi’s face flushed a deep red.