April 26th, the day the spring imperial examination results were to be posted. Early that morning, the Examination Institute's gates had not yet opened, but a throng had already gathered, bustling and jostling at the entrance.
There were also many examinees who had traveled from all directions, struggling through the crowd towards the entrance, hoping to secure a good spot, so they could be among the first to learn the results of the examination.
"Father, there are simply too many people," Mo Yan turned to her father, who was resting with his eyes closed, and suggested, "I think we should park the carriage across from the tea house at the corner. You can wait inside there while I come over by myself to keep an eye out."