Expelled from the Duke's mansion, the fake heiress is richer than a country.

Chapter 116 Young Scholar

Seeing that they kept asking questions, Song Genbao was worried about his sister's illness and his tone became unpleasant.

“My father was the village head, and yamen runners often came to our house to deliver messages. I was a student who had passed the county examination, and I met Magistrate Hao twice during the county examination.”

To prove his innocence, he simply revealed his identity, pleading with these people to help him get treatment for his sister as soon as possible.

Du Hu gasped in shock.

"Two years ago, there was indeed a child surnamed Song who passed the county examination and achieved third place. But his name wasn't Genbao..."

Because Magistrate Hao greatly admired the child's intelligence and specially hosted a banquet for the top three, he knew about it.

"Genbao is my nickname, my real name is Song Lianghan!"

"Yes, yes, it's Song Lianghan!"

In Du Hu's eyes, the previously dark-skinned and annoying brat had transformed into a distinguished and outstanding individual, and his face was unconsciously filled with smiles.

"I never imagined that you, Song Xiaotong, would fall to such a state..."

Yu Wanran was also surprised by the unexpected turn of events; Song Genbao had become the scholar Song Lianghan. It seemed that Song Genbao's earlier use of his childhood nickname stemmed from a similar sense of wariness.

However, this is not the time to delve into these issues. Since Song Lianghan's identity is not in question, his knowledge of the bandits' whereabouts is trustworthy.

Yu Wanran interrupted Du Hu's rambling and made a quick decision.

"Du Hu, you're in charge of escorting Song Tongsheng's sister back to the city and finding a doctor to treat her as soon as possible! Song Tongsheng, tell us what clues you have about the bandits first."

Song Lianghan glanced at Du Hu's arrogant yet obsequious manner and said, "No need, I'll take you there! The terrain in the mountains is complex, and it will be difficult to find you since you haven't lived here for a long time."

He had previously worried that the other party would not be willing to help, but now that they had revealed their identities and he saw the huge change in Du Hu's attitude, he believed that Du Hu would definitely do his best to take his sister away from danger and into the city to find a doctor.

As for the consultation fee, he must have received a reward for guiding the officials. Combined with the money Yu Wanran gave him, it should be enough.

Du Hu was happy to carry Song Lianghan's sister back first. Firstly, he wouldn't have to get involved in such a dangerous matter as contacting bandits; secondly, he could establish a friendship with Song Tongsheng.

At a young age, Song Lianghan passed the imperial examination and became a student of the first rank, earning high praise even from the county magistrate, indicating a promising future.

I regret being a bit too rough with the young student at the beginning. I hope to do my best to treat his sister and that the other party will forgive and forget about it.

Song Lianghan forced some water and dry food onto his unconscious sister. Only after seeing that her breathing had stabilized did he feel relieved enough to let Du Hu carry her away. As for the old bedding and clothes on the ground, he wrapped them up and put them back in the cave, covering the traces with straw.

Yu Wanran watched silently, secretly praising the child's meticulous mind. Indeed, those who can achieve fame at such a young age are no ordinary people.

After Song Lianghan finished tidying up and walked back to her, she said gently, "Song Tongsheng, would you like to eat something first?"

Song Lianghan nodded and took out a white flour pancake from his pocket. Without taking a bite, he looked earnestly at Yu Wanran and said, "Sister, you can just call me Genbao! That's what everyone close to me calls me!"

"My surname is Yu."

Yu Wanran smiled.

Seeing the two of them getting along so well, Yanqing and Qiu Yan, standing to the side, didn't know whether to envy Yu Wanran for easily gaining Song Tongsheng's trust or to marvel at how good deeds had been rewarded.

Song Lianghan, a talented young man with both courage and insight, has an immeasurable future as long as he overcomes the current difficulties.

After Song Lianghan had eaten his fill, Qiu Yan went to fetch Dou Yi. Everyone packed their things and continued on their way.

Halfway there, Song Lianghan explained in as much detail as possible the bandit trails he had found.

"Sister Yu, there are about four or five groups of bandits lurking in Qingling Mountain. The earliest one appeared suddenly half a year ago. In one night, they slaughtered everyone in Yangxi Village."

At that time, the villagers were unaware of the impending disaster. Not long after, Songjia Village and Xiaolin Village were ravaged one after another…

As Song Lianghan recounted the story, Yu Wanran frowned. She felt that this banditry was beyond her comprehension.

A motley crew of bandits, so well-trained, were able to slaughter dozens or even hundreds of households and hundreds of villagers in one night, leaving not a single survivor.

Bandits plunder for nothing more than money and women. What kind of hatred could drive someone to kill the elderly, women, and children? Don't they also crave a steady stream of wealth and women?

This is no different from killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

"Song Tongsheng, since those bandits are so ruthless, how did you and your sister escape?"

Qiu Yan raised a question.

Song Lianghan's dark face showed no change in expression.

“My mother hid my sister and me in the cellar. Then, together with my father, she used a feint to lure away the bandits who broke into our house, and then fought them to the death.”

He held his trembling sister, hiding in the suffocating darkness. He listened to the fighting, brawling, and screams that had filled the air above them all night. Thick, foul-smelling blood dripped from the cracks in the cellar lid, falling right onto their heads…

That nightmarish night was something he and his sister would never forget!

Qiu Yan wanted to ask something more, but Yu Wanran gave him a warning look to shut up. Song Lianghan, on the other hand, took the initiative to continue.

"This group of bandits shouldn't be the same ones who massacred Yangxi Village!"

This information is very important.

Yu Wanran couldn't help but ask, "Genbao, are you sure?"

Song Lianghan nodded without hesitation.

"The bandits who came to our Songjia Village to kill and set fires were after money and kidnapped some young girls. Our Songjia Village was not massacred; the survivors just dared not stay in the village any longer, so they all chose to flee."

After a moment's thought, he added, "It's the same in Xiaolin Village!"

However, his father, as the village head, was targeted by bandits, so he couldn't escape.

Yanqing was furious at the arrogance of these bandits.

"If you report this to the authorities, how will Magistrate Hao respond?"

When Magistrate Hao was mentioned, a deep look of disdain flashed across Song Lianghan's eyes.

"Lord Hao...sent men to suppress the bandits three times, but all attempts ended in failure."

His eyes flickered as he looked at Yu Wanran: "Sister Yu, you were sent by the new county magistrate, weren't you?"

Even Yu Wanran was amazed by the other party's intelligence this time!

"Genbao, are you really a prophet?"

In response to her praise, Song Lianghan showed a rare childlike shyness, scratching his head.

"Aren't officials in the Great Zhao Dynasty appointed for three-year terms, with a review period upon completion? I've calculated that Lord Hao's review period is almost up. Furthermore, with the rampant banditry in Qingling Mountain, the court will definitely send a new official to resolve the situation. Therefore..."

If he weren't hoping for a swift and effective start from the new magistrate, he wouldn't want to tell Yu Wanran and the others about the results of his hard work over the past six months! And if it were another useless, or even…

Wouldn't that be a waste of his efforts and a bluff to alert the enemy?

Qiu Yan couldn't help but touch Song Lianghan's greasy head, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Incredible! No wonder you're a child prodigy who passed the imperial examination at the age of ten! Compared to your brain, the rest of us are just mush!"

Song Lianghan disliked strangers touching his head, as it made him feel weak, and he gave Qiu Yan a disdainful look.

Yu Wanran pondered alone, and a crucial question came to mind.

"Genbao, do you really think the first wave of bandits in Tuyangxi Village were bandits? They weren't after money or women, so what were they after?"