Orchid Pavilion Tower.
Though it was still early, Orchid Pavilion Tower was already bustling.
The shops and markets along its street had opened early as well.
There were vendors selling rouge, breakfast, and paper, ink, brushes, and inkstones.
Stalls lined both sides of the street.
The vendors' cries, the rumble of wheels over bluestone paving, and the chatter of passersby mingled together, creating an indescribable bustle.
Sitting inside the carriage, Jiang Xiaobai lifted the curtain and looked out at the morning market, an unusual expression crossing his face.
"This place really is lively. Now this is the warmth of everyday life!"
Indeed, he had seen plenty of the Capital City's prosperity since arriving here.
But the bustle around Orchid Pavilion Tower was different from elsewhere.
Other places were full of ordinary urban prosperity, while here, a scholarly air mingled with the smoke and warmth of everyday life.
Several scholars sat beside a breakfast stall.
They held steamed buns in their hands while discussing poetry and prose, and someone was testing an inkstone at a stall selling brushes and ink.
Beside a rouge stall, young women smiled as they browsed.
The sight gave Jiang Xiaobai a rather strange feeling.
"What?"
Holding her sword against her chest, Tang Ningshuang looked at Jiang Xiaobai and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Heh, someone like you, born with a golden key in his mouth and pampered all his life, understands the warmth of everyday life?"
"That has nothing to do with whether you were born with a golden key."
Jiang Xiaobai glanced back at Tang Ningshuang and smiled. "It's about understanding!"
"Tch!"
Tang Ningshuang glanced at him and said, "You should be worrying more about your assessment right now!"
"There's still time to give up."
"Give up?"
Jiang Xiaobai smiled at that. "Those words know me,