On the day of the imperial examination, Lv Baicha was overjoyed. He had already lost the person he loved and even his good name. These were matters that would remain private unless an outsider took it upon themselves to investigate, but Lv Baicha cared too much about his reputation. He felt that whenever he went out, every glance in his direction was tinged with mockery. Lv Baicha suppressed his anger as the exams began. He was impatient to take the test, believing that only when his name was inscribed on the golden list of successful candidates would his rage be fully extinguished.
As the imperial examination commenced, the scholars were a mix of emotions. The joyous ones, like Lv Baicha, believed their knowledge was sufficient and that all they lacked was an opportunity. Others were anxious, feeling they hadn't studied enough. They were certain they stood no chance and were merely there to make up the numbers. And so, the imperial examination began.
