On his way back to the inn, Zheng Yiming felt unsettled no matter what he did. Even the joy of having performed better than usual in today's examination had noticeably faded.
Perhaps he had simply paid little attention before, and meeting the little beggar today had shifted his focus. Zheng Yiming suddenly realized that there seemed to be quite a few beggars on the streets. He saw many just walking down one main street, seemingly more than before.
When he had come to take the previous Provincial Examination three years ago, Zheng Yiming did not remember Pingzhou City having so many beggars. Or had he simply overlooked them last time?
At the street corner on the other side, Zheng Yiming saw several scholars gathered around a stall. Though his mind was still occupied with the beggars, he instinctively slowed his steps.
Only when he drew closer did he realize it was a bookstall. The scholars were all leafing through the books on display, while a man who also looked learned sat behind the stall, absorbed in his own book and paying no attention to their browsing.
Zheng Yiming walked over as well, noticing how excited every one of the scholars seemed.
"Bookseller, is this Four Seas and Mountains Record really written by an official of Great Yong's Ministry of Rites, as it says here?"
Great Yong? Zheng Yiming's heart gave a jolt, and he instinctively moved closer. The bookseller merely stroked his beard and looked at the book in his hands, apparently having no intention of answering.
Before Yi Shuyuan could open his mouth, the scholars grew impatient, each more so than the last.
"Are you deaf?" "Bookseller, we're asking you a question!"
They shouted at Yi Shuyuan behind the stall.
Yi Shuyuan shook his head, merely looking up at