Chapter 122

Chapter 122

Jiang Wencheng and the others were all very curious about Han Zhang's butterfly-attracting trick.

Han Zhang didn't beat around the bush and immediately explained the scientific principle behind it.

"...The reason the butterflies followed Lan-er and the others is that butterflies don't have very good eyesight and have a limited ability to perceive colors and their surroundings. In the woods, white is more conspicuous and easily noticed by butterflies."

"Furthermore, it's due to butterflies' courtship habits. The fluttering movements of these white paper butterflies resemble a female butterfly spreading its wings in invitation, which male butterflies misinterpret as a 'courtship invitation' and thus vie to chase after them."

So attracting butterflies wasn't as difficult as one might imagine—besides creating floral scents, a simple piece of white paper could do the trick.

Everyone was utterly amazed after hearing this.

Jiang Wencheng immediately clasped his hands in salute: "Brother Han is truly erudite. I'm genuinely impressed!"

An-er, afraid that his husband might get jealous, looked at Shen Qinglan to show his admiration: "Lan-er, your husband is so knowledgeable—he's truly impressive!"

Shen Qinglan naturally felt a sense of shared pride, hugging Han Zhang's arm and swinging it playfully, his beautiful eyes shining brightly: "Husband, exactly how many more surprises do you have that I don't know about?"

Han Zhang reflexively imagined a famous scene from some drama and couldn't help but laugh heartily:

"What other surprises do I have? You'll discover them little by little in the future... Didn't you just say you were hungry? This place is really nice—let's get the fire going and let you taste your husband's grilling skills."

"I'll join too. I'll show you my humble skills—can't let Brother Han take all the credit."

Jiang Wencheng also spoke up, determined not to lose face for his husband.

The young men of the capital had a long-standing tradition of autumn hunting, and the most convenient food outdoors was grilled meat, so although they weren't self-sufficient in other life skills, they all knew how to grill.

The servants efficiently laid out cooking utensils, fruits, pastries, hot tea, and pre-marinated meat.

The four gathered around the campfire, grilling meat and chatting.

They didn't discuss any high-minded topics—just amusing little anecdotes from daily life.

Han Zhang had memories from two lives, and his previous life had been especially rich and varied. Building on the knowledge of others, he might not know a little about everything, but his breadth of knowledge was truly beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Especially in eclectic knowledge, Jiang Wencheng, who boasted of having ten thousand volumes in his family library, was full of admiration after conversing with him.

And Han Zhang, in turn, sincerely admired Jiang Wencheng's scholarship from the bottom of his heart.

Han Zhang said with genuine feeling: "Brother Jiang, you're too kind. My passing knowledge of miscellaneous learning comes first from encountering wandering old scholars in my youth and listening to their discussions, picking up bits and pieces."

"Second, my elders at home once traveled far and wide, gaining deep insight into the lives of the common people. I inherited their teachings, and thus have my humble views on current affairs."

"Brother Jiang may not be versed in miscellaneous learning, but your mastery of the Four Books and Five Classics is something I could never match... In next spring's imperial examination, Brother Jiang will surely rank at the top, while I would be fortunate to even make the second tier."

He meant this sincerely, with no flattery whatsoever.

When it came to policy questions, he had no fear, but in the Four Books and Five Classics portion of the exam, he would definitely lose major points!

He truly couldn't compare to a scholar of ancient pedigree like Jiang Wencheng.

Shen Qinglan puffed out his cheeks upon hearing this, complaining with a hint of grievance: "Husband, then why did you promise me at home that you'd make me the husband of a top scholar in next year's exam?"

So his husband wasn't nearly as brilliant at studying as he'd thought.

His husband was a big liar, fooling him again!

Seeing his husband looking both wronged and adorable, Han Zhang couldn't help but laugh.

He reached out and poked the young man's puffed-up cheek, acting playfully shameless: "My dear, I never slapped my chest and promised you I'd definitely become the top scholar—I only said I'd do my best. The world is full of talented men, and every year the imperial exam is like thousands of troops crossing a single-plank bridge. The top scholar title isn't something you can just decide to win."

Jiang Wencheng understood and spoke up in his defense: "Brother Han is absolutely right. But with Brother Han's abilities, even if his exam ranking is slightly lower, his future promotion speed will likely be beyond what we can match... Brother Han's views on current affairs truly demonstrate extraordinary strategic talent."

"Really? Brother Jiang, is my husband really that impressive?"

Shen Qinglan immediately broke into a delighted smile again.

Compared to being the husband of a briefly celebrated top scholar, being the husband of a titled lady was far more appealing.

An-er smiled and comforted him: "I've heard that Brother Han's scholarship ranks well even at the Imperial Academy—how could he be lacking?"

Jiang Wencheng also knew his husband's close friend, who was often mentioned, and nodded with a smile in confirmation:

"Indeed. Scholars like Brother Han, from humble backgrounds, often don't rank highly in the exams, but once they enter officialdom, their achievements in handling affairs are always remarkably outstanding."

"In the official world, poetry and prose are merely icing on the cake; practical competence is the true foundation for standing firm—Brother Han will surely earn Lan-er a noble title in the future."

That truly hit the mark for Shen Qinglan.

He smiled with eyes curved like crescents, quickly handing over the meat he'd just grilled, offering it as a gift to please Han Zhang: "Husband, you're amazing—here's some meat as a reward!"

Han Zhang ate the meat from his hand, then teased him: "My dear, am I really worth just a piece of meat?"

Shen Qinglan also felt that bribing him this way was too insincere. After thinking for a moment, he straightened his back and declared: "Then husband, I'll give you eight chubby sons in the future!"

Although he couldn't have eight babies in one birth like in his husband's storybooks, he could have eight babies across eight births.

"Pfft—cough, cough, cough..."

Han Zhang choked on his husband's bold declaration.

Damn it, he really shouldn't have brought out those modern melodramatic novels for the teahouse business.

Look what kind of influence it had on his husband!

After drinking a few sips of water to recover, Han Zhang pinched Shen Qinglan's little face and scolded him half-seriously: "What nonsense are you talking? Giving birth isn't like laying eggs—you can't just decide how many to have. Eight chubby sons? Do you want to risk your life?!"

Even if he had the ability to ensure his husband wouldn't harm his body no matter how many children he bore, the pain of childbirth was still unavoidable.

Knowing that his husband was worried about him, Shen Qinglan felt sweet and warm inside, but still insisted:

"It's fine—I'm healthy. The doctor said I'm as sturdy as a little calf, so having a few more won't hurt. Husband promised me you'd never take concubines, so I should naturally bear you more children to expand the family..."

"Even if not eight, then... five at least—my mother had five!"

He loved his husband, and he was willing to endure the pain of childbirth for him.

This sentiment was also shared by An-er and Jiang Wencheng, because for ancient people, more children meant more blessings.

With many children and a thriving lineage, the family could grow strong. Whether due to environmental influence or considerations of interest, the more children, the better.

In fact, the reason ancient wives were willing to let their husbands take concubines was partly to share the risk of childbirth.

But they didn't have a throne to inherit—why have so many children!

Even if there were a throne, there was no need for that many. Children should be valued for quality, not quantity!

However, Han Zhang also knew that trying to explain this kind of thing to ancient people was a lost cause.

So, he didn't bother with scientific explanations, but gently took Shen Qinglan's hand and said softly:

"No matter how strong your body is, you can't escape the pain of childbirth, and I can't bear that... You, my dear, are the most important thing to me. As for children, we'll leave it to fate and not force it, alright?"

Han Zhang's gentle voice and gaze were too intoxicating.

Shen Qinglan couldn't resist his husband's charms either, and was instantly swept off his feet, shyly nodding in surrender:

"Then... alright, I'll listen to my husband."

In his heart, his husband mattered most—children could never compare.

The couple gazed at each other with tender eyes, the air thick with lovey-dovey vibes.

Beside them, Jiang Wencheng and An Ge'er: ...

They were already married, yet they still had to put up with others' lovey-dovey displays—so unfair!

However, thinking of the pain of childbirth Han Zhang mentioned, Jiang Wencheng couldn't help but take An Ge'er's hand and whisper worriedly:

"My dear, Brother Han has a point. Childbirth is indeed difficult, so let's just leave it to fate... After all, I'm a concubine's son, and I'll eventually be given my own household, so we don't need too many children."

He and his husband were childhood sweethearts with deep feelings for each other, and he had no intention of taking concubines.

Having too many children would wear out his husband, and once he was separated from the family, his means would be too modest to raise them.

His husband cherished him too, and An Ge'er was naturally happy, smiling blissfully: "Mm, I'll listen to my husband as well."

The four sat around the campfire, both couples all lovey-dovey.

...

Not far off.

The husbands and wives who had been curious about the group's butterfly-charming antics, and had been straining their ears to eavesdrop, naturally caught every word.

To say they weren't envious would be a lie.

After all, in those days, a man who merely treated his wife with respect was already considered a good catch.

Men like Jiang Wencheng and Han Zhang, who had deep feelings for their husbands, cherished them, and valued them above children, were truly few and far between.

One of them, a certain Tang husband, whether deliberately or not, said to the most ornately dressed young man beside him in an envious tone:

"Your Highness Chang Gongjun, look at that young man in the blue robe over there. Isn't he the Master Han who caught the Crown Prince's eye in the archery examination at the Imperial Academy the other day?"

"Truly as rumored, he's not only handsome and refined, but also deeply devoted... For his husband's sake, he doesn't even rush for children. We can only envy him."

The richly dressed young man beside him, who was the Crown Prince's own younger brother, Chang Gongjun Jiayou (equivalent to a Grand Princess), gazed leisurely at Han Zhang: "If my brother thinks highly of him, he must be outstanding in looks, talent, and character—otherwise, he wouldn't have caught the Crown Prince's eye."

"Your Highness speaks truly. Someone favored by the Crown Prince can't be an ordinary person."

Tang husband quickly flattered with a smile.

But then, rolling his eyes, he asked with feigned curiosity: "I hear the men in Your Highness's household are all as handsome as Pan An and Song Yu. How does this Master Han stack up against them?"