As Yu Lü pondered, the sky grew darker and the snowflakes larger. Someone could no longer bear the cold and said, "From the look of things, it'll be a while yet before our master finishes paying his respects to the Imperial Grandson. Why don't we find a tavern and have a few cups to drive out the chill?"
He meant a restaurant a little farther away. Its main hall was brightly lit, with seven or eight guests, some eating, others drinking and chatting.
Another man shook his head. "We can buy some wine and cooked dishes, but if we drink in the tavern and our master comes out and can't find us, we'll get a beating straightaway."
"True enough. Let's buy some wine and pig's head meat, then."
Both men appeared to be servants attending ox carts. Just as they were about to leave, Yu Lü hurriedly called them back. "Gentlemen, who is this Imperial Grandson you mentioned? Isn't this Prince Dai's Residence?"
Hearing his call, the two men narrowed their eyes and looked Yu Lü over. His padded robe was mostly new, and its stitching was fairly fine. Judging by his bearing, he was almost certainly a Provincial Graduate here to sit the examination.
Although their own master was a fourth-rank official, they had no desire to offend an examination candidate without cause. They looked surprised, then quickly understood and smiled. "Are you two Provincial Graduates who've come to the Capital City? No wonder you haven't heard."
"His Majesty has appointed Prince Dai as Imperial Grandson. Prince Dai is the crown prince's son. Sure enough, the old emperor is still closest to his grandson of the legitimate line, so all the dignitaries have come to congratulate him."
"If you're here to submit visiting cards as examination candidates, you'd best