Qiao Xiaomai thought, her gaze shifting to Sun Junyan.
Sun Junyan's face was pinched from trying desperately to suppress his joy, a stark contrast to the hysterics of the Sun Family, he can mostly be described as calm and composed.
Disturbed by the hypocrisy, Qiao Xiaomai wearily settled herself on the ox cart.
The scene was chaotic; County Magistrate Dai stood on the steps in front of the county government office, watching the crowd below. Letting them vent for a quarter of an hour, he gestured with his hand.
Immediately, a bailiff began to strike a bronze gong.
The scene quieted down.
County Magistrate Dai, with his hands tucked behind his back, cleared his throat, "Are all the ten scholars on the imperial list present?"
There was a chorus of affirmations from below, with many straining their voices and raising their hands, eager to signal their presence to Dai.
