The shattered jade pendant seemed to have changed the course of some history...
A man who would originally have died in the examination hall had not died, and a consciousness that was about to descend had not descended either.
Half a month after the Autumn Examination, the court posted the results.
Amid the throng of countless candidates before the Dragon-Tiger Ranking, Su Jingyan saw his name from afar, standing at the very top.
For some reason, Su Jingyan felt little excitement. Instead, a sense of bewilderment rose in his heart.
That bewilderment came from the new life bought by the shattering of the jade pendant. Something seemed to have strayed from its course.
Once winter passed, it would be time to head north for the Spring Examination...
That fortune teller had said he would experience some "tragic scenes" when he traveled north to the Imperial City.
Su Jingyan shook his head. For some reason, he no longer wanted to go north.
Perhaps living out this life in peace and simplicity would not be so bad...
Su Jingyan broke into a smile, swept his sleeves, and turned to leave.
"Then... I won't go."
Su Jingyan returned to Jiangnan. When the people of the ancient town heard that he had passed the examination and become a Provincial Graduate, they came to congratulate him. Su Jingyan thanked them with a smile, then saw everyone off.
But the well-wishers came in an endless stream. Helpless, Su Jingyan shut his doors and left the little town.
"I've spent my whole life in the company of books. It's time I went out and walked around."
That year, amid swirling snow, Su Jingyan reached the foot of a mountain. A bell rang out from a temple above.
In a daze, Su Jingyan made his way up