Of course, the streets were filled most of all with scholars, wearing the square caps and long robes of their station.
They spoke with a medley of regional accents, but their faces all shared a look of curiosity and wonder, a clear sign they too had come for the examinations.
When their eyes met, they would nod to one another in greeting.
As they walked onward, Huang Chen remarked, "The people here live prosperous and peaceful lives. The Magistrate has clearly done a fine job governing. By the way, what was the Magistrate's surname again?"
De'an was speechless. "Sheng. We went over this multiple times in the carriage just a moment ago."
"After all these days stuck in a carriage, my head is so full of horse hooves and brass bells I can't hear anything else. How old is Mr. Sheng?"
