A City's Weighty History Settles in the Heart

Time flies, and another day has passed in the blink of an eye.

Today is the annual Upper Yuan Lantern Festival. Qiu Yan left the inn early in the morning and met up with Luo Jiayun and others at a teahouse to chat.

During the Metropolitan Examination, candidates from all over the country gathered together, engaging in lively discussions. It was common to see groups of three or five scholars sitting around a table in teahouses and taverns, chatting and laughing.

Most of these candidates were ignorant of economic laws and price fluctuations. With the deliberate manipulation of merchants, they unwittingly became easy targets, highly favored by businesses. This affected the city's residents as well, which explains why they were targeted with anger.

Qiu Yan walked alone on the street, his pace slow and leisurely, as if he were touring the city. The passersby were not surprised, as there were quite a few people who toured the capital like this during each Metropolitan Examination.

However, hostile glances and whispers were still unavoidable.

What they didn't know was that Qiu Yan wasn't only paying attention to the scenery as he walked.

"Prosperity Capital is the capital of the Great Rui Kingdom, so it's impossible for it not to attract the attention of the Divine Path. However, with the presence of Dragon Qi and many other factors, not only are ordinary extraordinary powers suppressed and weakened, but the Divine Path will definitely be affected as well. Now that I've experienced it firsthand, I realize that the divine Divine Path has been suppressed into a disorganized mess, scattered everywhere. I wonder what the Underworld Office here looks like."

Despite his doubts, Qiu Yan would not investigate rashly, lest he invite trouble. Now was the time to avoid trouble; he hadn't yet figured out who was behind the Book Hoard Inn, and he didn't have the energy to provoke other enemies.

As he pondered, his attention turned to the pedestrians and scenery along the way. With the help of his senses and Divine Path aura, he could vaguely understand the inner thoughts of others through their emotions.

Along the way, using this method, he collected a lot of information about people's livelihood. At the same time, looking at the layout of the city and comparing it with the scenes of the previous dynasty that he had seen in books and the Eastern Capital Dream Splendor he had recently experienced, Qiu Yan's understanding of Prosperity Capital has been greatly enhanced.

"In the previous dynasty's capital, the division between the city and the residential areas was very strict, with the residential and commercial areas almost completely separate. However, the capital of Great Rui no longer has such strict divisions; teahouses, taverns, and shops are almost everywhere. But it still can't compare to the prosperity of the Eastern Capital."

Looking at the shop signs along the way, listening to the conversations of people inside and outside the shops, and seeing the small vendors along the way, Qiu Yan gradually grasped some subtle details.

"In the previous dynasty, the market was divided into 120 or 220 trades, based on the types of goods sold. The individuals involved in commerce were mostly merchants, peddlers, vagrants, and artisans. However, the Great Rui Dynasty, while inheriting the industry classification of the previous dynasty, added entertainment, food and beverage, and inns, and even some secluded places, as well as the so-called 'lower nine classes' industries. According to the classification of the previous life, this can already be considered as the flourishing development of the tertiary industry."

Walking on the streets of Prosperity Capital, Qiu Yan's mind gradually merged with the city's atmosphere. Amidst the conversations of passersby, the cries of vendors, and the colorful words and lights on the street signs, he gradually became immersed in the city's ambiance, his mind racing with thoughts.

"The world is unpredictable. Xingjing Imperial City may seem bright and prosperous, but undercurrents are surging. Even setting aside the dangers of the imperial court, the alliance of merchants alone is extremely treacherous. According to the precedent of the Imperial Examinations throughout history, this Metropolitan Examination will likely focus on a major national and military issue. However, it is still too early to tell who the examiner will be..."

In addition to their own knowledge, candidates must also be able to assess the situation and understand the examiner's thoughts. The examiner's academic inclinations, official position, and department are of utmost importance, as they may very well affect the content of the exam. Many people who come to the Imperial City will first visit relatives and friends to explore the situation through their connections.

But for Qiu Yan, everything had to wait until the examiner's identity was confirmed before anything could be done.

As Qiu Yan walked, his thoughts drifted, and he sensed a vast will. He was startled, but then he realized something and sent a part of his perception to make contact with that will.

Prosperity Capital, this city has weathered many storms, once prosperous and once dilapidated. Many dynasties established their capitals here, making it a capital of several dynasties. It is like a thick history book, with its inner and outer city walls and the bricks and soil beneath your feet being pages of that book.

As Qiu Yan turned the pages, a faint, indistinct painting appeared before him.

"Huh?"

In the heart of the city, within the Imperial City, a soft exclamation suddenly emanated from a palace deep within the inner sanctum.

"Someone shares the same sentiments as Prosperity Capital? Wants to read the city's history? Could it be that another Grand Confucian has traveled here for study?"

With that soft exclamation, a thought emanated from the palace, faintly touching the city's aura, and briefly making contact with Qiu Yan's consciousness, but quickly receding.

"Interesting, interesting, this scholar is quite interesting..."

A few breaths later, Qiu Yan arrived outside the agreed-upon teahouse. He appeared somewhat dazed, with sleepy eyes at first glance.

"Brother Qiu, you've arrived..." Zhou Guan and the others were sitting around a table, his seat facing the shop door. Upon seeing Qiu Yan, he greeted him.

Qiu Yan then seemed to awaken from a dream. The insights in his heart dissipated, but he grasped a trace of energy, which he stored in his heart and slowly brewed. Then he stepped forward and talked with Zhou Guan and the others.

Several hours later, everyone bid farewell and returned to their lodgings.

Tonight there is the Upper Origin Lantern Festival, and many candidates for the imperial examinations have gathered here. Some candidates feel that the Metropolitan Examination is imminent and have no interest in playing, so they have to go back to study; while others, with the exam approaching, have no interest in studying and are more interested in seeing the prosperity of Prosperity Capital.

Even Luo Jiayun, Zhou Guan, Cao Hanqi, and others had different ideas, so at noon they each went back to prepare separately.

Qiu Yan returned to the inn, had lunch, and then went back to his room, where he stayed indoors.

"Young master, what's the matter with your hurried coming and going? Could something have happened?"

Outside the door, Dai Guo looked at Qiu Yan's tightly closed door with a puzzled expression and muttered to himself.

Hu Qi, standing beside him, shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Young Master has his own ideas about how to do things, so we don't need to worry about it. Speaking of which, I saw a familiar figure in the city a few days ago, and it's very likely someone from that sect."

"Hmm?" Dai Guo was puzzled at first, then startled. "They're from that sect? We need to be careful. Although that sect's roots aren't in the Central Plains, they shouldn't be underestimated."

"That's right, I plan to..."

As Hu Qi and Dai Guo began their conversation, they failed to notice that the stray dog tied to the door was stealthily shifting its position, gently biting the rope binding it with its teeth and struggling, but to little avail.

"Hmm?" This movement finally startled Dai Guo, who suddenly yanked the rope, pulling the dog so hard that its tongue rolled out, and forcibly pulled it back.

"You reckless fool! You're just getting cocky..."

The dog was furious, but it was choked and couldn't finish its sentence.

However, just as it was foaming at the mouth, it was startled to see that Qiu Yan's door had opened a crack, and the Ginseng Baby, riding Trial Beast, with the Eight-Character Ancient Seal Inscription wrapped around the Incense Burner, slowly emerged from inside.

"Ugh! Ugh!"

The dog struggled again, but couldn't make a sound. It could only watch helplessly as a group of objects sneaked away from the window at the end of the corridor.

Time flies, night falls, and the Imperial City is soon bustling with activity. Every household is decorated with lanterns and colorful lights.

Young men and women from the city also came out of their homes, wandering and playing in groups of three or five. The streets were bustling with vendors and people, creating a lively and prosperous scene.

Furthermore, the brothels were filled with beauties vying for attention, while talented scholars engaged in literary duels inside, and martial artists drank heartily outside – truly a microcosm of human life.

"Sister Ji, please wait here for a moment, I'll be right back."

Xu Ran, dressed in men's clothing, and Ji Zheng walked through the crowd. Suddenly, Xu Ran spotted a familiar figure in the crowd, turned around, and said something to Ji Zheng.

Ji Zheng smiled slightly, "You're going to see your lover, right? Logically, I shouldn't disturb you, but your father gave me instructions before I came."

Xu Ran immediately pouted, but there was nothing she could do, so she ran over with Ji Zheng.

Wen Zhizhen was competing in riddles with others in front, winning one after another, and everyone around praised her. Suddenly, two young ladies came over and started talking to Wen Zhizhen, and the onlookers became envious.

The lantern festival in Prosperity Capital has a long history and many unwritten rules. For example, a person who is obviously a woman dressed as a man is usually a young lady from an official family.

Despite their envy, no one dared to spoil the mood. After all, countless poor boys had won the favor of rich heiresses and noble ladies in the past, rising to prominence and becoming celebrated figures.

Not far away, under a locust tree, Pang Qianru was talking to Song Qian.

"... Since Qiu Yan is so talented, he won't easily let this literary gathering pass him by. I heard that the judges for the gathering are the heads of several academies, and even a high-ranking official is said to be in attendance."

"That can be described as a grand event." Song Qian nodded, and was about to say something more when Pang Qianru waved her hand to interrupt her, and then a smile appeared on the latter's face.

"This isn't urgent. I didn't expect that I would let that little girl take advantage of my absence so quickly." With that, Pang Qianru walked towards Wen Zhizhen.

"Sister, then..." Song Qian hurriedly followed.

As Pang Qianru walked, she turned back and said, "No rush, I've already instructed some people to keep an eye on the scholar named Qiu Yan."

She didn't deliberately lower her voice, and the words "Qiu Yan" reached Ji Zheng's ears, causing the latter's expression to change slightly.

Almost at the same time, there were two other places in the city where Qiu Yan's name was being mentioned.

In one of the places, in a dark and secluded spot, the innkeeper of the Book Hoard Inn was kneeling respectfully on the ground, recounting his encounter with Qiu Yan in detail without any concealment.

In another room, however, was an elegantly furnished pavilion, where several men sat in different places. The one sitting at the head of the table was none other than the Black-faced Chancellor Wang Fu.

"You mean, this Qiu Yan is Ma Yang's disciple? A member of the Old Party?" (To be continued. Please search for the novel for better and faster updates!)