The Junior Minister Shen Yian and the Minor Prefect of Jingzhao Xu Zizhou both shared a sort of half-master friendship with Ling Yunshen.
No one knew that years ago, Shen Yian and Xu Zizhou arrived in the Capital City for the imperial examination half a year early, and stayed on Scholar Street, where the candidates from the south of the city resided. At that time, the Ling Family had not yet encountered trouble, and Ling Yunyang, the debauchee, was pushed by his father, who was also his uncle, to go to Scholar Street. The intention was to make him realize how difficult it was for children from ordinary families to stand out, to feel some sense of shame for his lack of achievement despite his fortunate background. A small courtyard was rented for him on Scholar Street, where Ling Yunshen was tasked with ensuring he studied.
