There are two famous scenic spots near Mingshan Prefecture: one is Moonlit Lake, known for its many pleasure barges where scholars love to drink and make merry.
The other is Redleaf Mountain, named for the red maple trees covering its slopes. Every autumn, the hills turn crimson, creating a breathtaking view.
Leaving the city gate and heading east, Ian Song soon arrived at Moonlit Lake, where many pleasure barges were docked along the shore. An ordinary barge only required a two-tael silver fee for a full day's ride.
If you wanted privacy, you could book an entire barge for yourself.
Some special barges weren't open to anyone with money; to board, you had to compose a poem. Only those who succeeded could step aboard.
To truly experience the beauty of Moonlit Lake, you had to board a pleasure barge.
Ian Song paid two taels of silver and boarded a standard barge.
A servant led him into the cabin.
Inside, there were more than ten low tables. Ian was seated at one, while five other scholar-candidates sat at five of the tables.
The oldest among them looked to be twenty-five or twenty-six; the youngest was sixteen or seventeen. At thirteen, Ian was the youngest by far.
"I am Hansel Han from Featherwood County. May I ask your name, sir?"
A friendly scholar looked at Ian and asked with a smile.
"Nice to meet you, Brother Han. I am Ian Song from Huangshan County."
"So it's Brother Song! Are you here for the exam as well?" Hansel Han continued.
"I was lucky enough to pass the child-student test, so I'm here to try my luck!" Ian replied modestly.
Hansel Han smiled knowingly. "Brother Song, you're too modest. If I recall, the child-student first-place laureate of Huangshan County is also named Ian Song. That must be you, right?"
The other four scholars looked at Ian in surprise. They hadn't expected Huangshan County's laureate to be such a young boy.
"Just lucky, that's all!"
Ian smiled, showing no sign of pride.
At the same time, he activated his Luck-Sight Golden Eyes and scanned the five scholars. Four had similar Luck, but Hansel Han's value was much higher—seventeen points. It looked like he had a strong chance of passing the xiucai exam this time.