The imperial examination was a major event in the Liang Dynasty, and the news from the examination halls swept through every corner of Shengjing like a whirlwind.
Merchants from all along West Street stepped out of their shops, crowding the already narrow street to the point of impassability.
"Have you heard? The scholar who died in the Tribute Court, he was Scholar Wu from our West Street fish stall!"
"Where did you hear such rumors? Wu Youcai was kind-hearted and honest, always minding his own business beyond his books and the fish stand. Who would have a grudge against him? You might have heard wrong," said the warm-hearted Sister Song.
Widow Sun, well-informed and carrying a basket of vegetables, happened to pass by and leaned in to say, "I just came back from the Tribute Court, and Scholar Wu didn't die from being poisoned by someone else, he died from drinking poison himself."
