Books were indeed wonderful things.

However, she had become somewhat estranged from the other candidates staying at the inn.

Everyone knew of her “heroic” deeds. Even among the scholars who had supported her on the street that day, there had been only a few, and at that time she hadn’t yet taken the princess hostage. With the examination approaching, no one wanted to create more trouble and anger the princess—who knew if the princess had people secretly watching? Though some were willing to befriend her, when they met, they would only nod from afar before walking away.

Innkeeper Shi Jian also wanted to evict them. She paid triple the room rate and whispered to him about advertising benefits before he agreed to let them stay. After all, many people had come to the shop to gossip about her these days, inadvertently bringing him considerable business.

During lunch hours, the inn’s busiest time, there was no room service, and no one in the dining hall was willing to share a table with her. After being driven away once, she would wait until everyone finished eating before going downstairs with her rumbling stomach to eat.

Leng Xue was very angry and would often pack food to bring back to their room for her.

When there were still half a month left before the examination, the government issued official documents posted throughout the capital, requiring all candidates to report to the Ministry of Personnel with their “admission tickets” to determine the final number of participants and distribute seat assignment tokens.

That day, Leng Xue went early to run this errand for her.

She had been reading for half the day, but Leng Xue still hadn’t returned. She figured with so many students, Leng Xue was probably still waiting in line. So she took her book downstairs to the front courtyard dining hall to find food and wait for Leng Xue.

When she arrived, all tables were full. Many people glanced at her—there were still some empty seats among them, but no one invited her to join them.

Su Zhen smiled and waited to the side, planning to call a waiter as soon as one became free. Just then, she heard someone call out loudly, “This humble one has a seat here. Young Master, please honor me by coming over.”

She looked up in surprise—white clothes, white clothes again, but this white-clothed person was different from that other one. This time it was a genuine man.

The key point was… he was also a beauty.

About thirty years old, with phoenix eyes, sword-like eyebrows slanting into his temples, eyes like glazed crystal with ink-black pupils, thin lips like cinnabar dots, and a gentle smile like a painting.

He wore no special accessories, unlike other scholars who wore square scholarly caps. He only had a white silk ribbon binding his hair ends—a standard beauty’s hairstyle.

Huo Chang’an also had phoenix eyes, but his appearance wasn’t particularly handsome—he was that type of imposing man. This person, however, was the finest among phoenix-eyed beauties. Like the white-clothed woman, he must be wealthy. Though his clothing was light, he showed no signs of being cold. His outfit was clearly made from the finest snow silkworm silk.

Since it was a kind invitation, Su Zhen naturally didn’t refuse. After sitting down, she thought about it and kindly reminded him, “Brother, you must have just arrived in the capital, so you don’t know that I—”

The phoenix-eyed man smiled, “Why should I know about you? Are you famous?”

Su Zhen was stumped by his response and couldn’t help laughing. She really had thought of herself as a celebrity. At this moment, someone at the next table quietly reminded him, “Young Master, Li Huaisu here has stormed execution grounds and taken the princess hostage.”

——

Thank you all for your comments and gifts. This legendary tale has many characters and various entrances. We’re currently in the slow-burn phase. I wonder if you have the patience to wait with me for the climactic moments. Here I’ll attach the preview video again: The girl who made this video doesn’t know the later plot, but elements like grand staircases, blood-stained gauze lanterns, masks, imperial seals, swords, and red silk hands are related to future story developments. I didn’t expect such a coincidence.