"The Clear Pavilion is just ahead!"
Inside the Chancellor's Residence, Li Zhixing led the way, raising a hand to point ahead.
Jiang Xiaobai looked in the direction Li Zhixing indicated, surprise creeping into his expression.
Part of the Clear Pavilion stood within the Chancellor's Residence, while the rest extended outside and connected to the street.
The design was certainly unusual, but... it made sense.
After all, Li Bingzhang had established the Clear Pavilion specifically for scholars from humble backgrounds. If it were too far from the Chancellor's Residence, overseeing it would only become inconvenient.
And as they drew closer, Jiang Xiaobai grew even more surprised.
The Clear Pavilion was four stories tall, with upturned eaves and an antique appearance. Before he could dwell on it, however, a chorus of shouts reached his ears.
"Ask Chancellor Li to come out!"
"Hmph! The imperial examination was unfair! Scholars across the land refuse to accept it!"
"He bought an office and became Top Graduate! This is a disgrace to the court!"
"Chancellor Li has always looked after us scholars! How can he stand by and do nothing today?"
The cries rose one after another.
Jiang Xiaobai raised his brows slightly.
There were probably even more scholars here than there had been outside the Marquis's Residence that morning.
And this gathering clearly wasn't just here to watch the excitement.
They were organized, and they had slogans.
So something about this... distinctly smelled wrong.
He would never believe there was no one pushing things along behind the scenes!
As Jiang Xiaobai pondered this, Li Zhixing glanced sideways at him and said coldly, "Jiang Xiaobai, I warned you."
"There are a great many scholars at the Clear Pavilion today."
"If they throw things at you later, or even... beat you up, don't blame me for not