After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Ning Nan pulled on the reins and gave a 'lili' tug to the old red-maned horse at the front of the carriage. The old horse stopped, snorted a few times, and pawed at the ground.

After the carriage came to a stop, he lifted the curtain and woke Yang Bing, who was sleeping inside. Yang Bing responded groggily, and Ning Nan turned around, flicked the reins, shouted, and cracked the whip, urging the old horse to continue moving forward slowly along the road.

Ahead lay the Nanjing city wall, towering and majestic. Looking up, the wall appeared to be about eight zhang high and very thick, made of what seemed to be bluestone bricks. It looked extremely imposing. On the top of the wall, there was a soldier holding a spear standing about every zhang. From a distance, the atmosphere was solemn and tense.

The road was extremely wide and smooth, and the carriage stopped swaying much after it reached this road outside the city.

Pedestrians came and went, some leading children and skipping along, some carrying vegetables, and others like them driving horse-drawn carriages, donkey carts, and mule carts, pulling all sorts of goods with deep ruts. There were also people carrying steamed buns. When Ningnan passed by, he twitched his nose and smelled the aroma of sesame. At the end of the avenue was "Jiangdong Gate".

Jiangdong Gate is very wide, with two vermilion city gates open, inlaid with rows of neatly arranged gold rivets that gleam in the light.

Two rows of Liang soldiers, about twenty in total, stood in front of the gate, wearing dark red armor and long swords with brass-plated blades at their waists.

It was definitely the right decision to come with Brother Yang. The journey was smooth and convenient. When we passed Jiangdong Gate, the gatekeeper didn't give him any trouble or even question him. He just glanced at his travel permit and, knowing that Brother Yang was a clerk in Jiangning County, let him pass. However, Brother Yang was a man of few words, and the two of them didn't talk much.

The questions were mostly things like, "Brother Ning, what books have you read?" When Ning Nan said, "I haven't read any serious books," the other person was speechless and didn't know how to ask. They couldn't very well ask Ning Nan to recommend some "improper" books to them.

Ning Nan then asked more questions about the local customs and culture of Nanjing, and the locals answered them one by one, which broadened his horizons considerably.

After passing Jiangdong Gate, you arrive at Jiangning County. On both sides of the long street, shops stand side by side: restaurants, teahouses, cloth shops, silk shops, general stores, and all kinds of shops selling rice, flour, and cooking oil... They are mixed together, with people coming and going. There are also pawnshops, horse shops, pharmacies, bookstores, and other shops that even Hangezhuang doesn't have, not to mention the dilapidated Lijia Village. Ning Nan even saw a bathhouse on a street corner.

"Nanjing is indeed a very prosperous city..." Ning Nan sighed.

"That's right." Yang Bing perked up upon hearing this, and seeing the man beside him looking around as if he were seeing things in a daze, he looked up and smiled, "The capital is the most important place, Brother Ning, you can take a good look around these few days." He glanced at the straw sandals on Ning Nan's feet.

Ning Nan smiled and said okay.

The weather was nice today, the sun was warm and pleasant, and pedestrians came and went on the street. The waiters of restaurants of all sizes went out to attract customers, reciting their own signature dishes as if they were reciting a tongue twister. The vendors selling snacks and breakfasts on both sides were shouting louder, and the whole street was full of life. The air was filled with the aroma of wine, food and various snacks, and there was a feeling of warmth and excitement.

Ning Nan was quite emotional. This was his first time in a "big city," and he was wearing straw sandals while others were wearing cloth shoes. His clothes were just a common hemp shirt from the countryside, and compared to them, he felt somewhat undignified.

Upon arriving at a shimmering lake, Ning Nan smiled and bid farewell to Yang Bing. He knew that this lake was called Mochou Lake.

Yang Bing politely asked if he needed a ride a little further, saying it was fine even if it wasn't on his way, as Nanjing is a big city and he was worried about getting lost in Nanjing.

Ning Nan smiled and clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "No need, thank you, Brother Yang." Yang Bing could only feign regret, offering polite words like wishing Ning Nan a safe journey, before slowly driving the carriage away.

Ning Nan, with his bag slung across his shoulder, walked around Mochou Lake and arrived at the Qinhuai River. To his surprise, many of the brothels on the Qinhuai River, dressed like this, waved handkerchiefs at him and called him "Master" or "Young Master," inviting him to come in and sit down. Some even exaggeratedly called him "Master Yuanwai."

"They don't discriminate when it comes to customers," Ning Nan praised their professionalism.

If it were an ordinary country boy, upon seeing these erotic scenes, he would probably either blush and walk past quickly, or be unable to move, ending up in the gentle embrace created by the older women, leaving behind all his clothes and belongings. He might even be tricked into taking out a loan at high interest rates for a few months, or working as a pimp or laborer to pay off the debt.

But Ning Nan had long been accustomed to these things in his previous life, and now he was simply looking at everything with a sense of appreciation.

His clear, curious eyes were completely at odds with his tattered clothes, but he didn't shrink back because of his "rustic" appearance. Instead, he strode confidently with an air of neither servility nor arrogance, which attracted strange looks from many prostitutes. They wondered where this country boy from was from, who seemed to be fearless.

I walked across a bridge spanning the Qinhuai River.

Ningnan arrived at the "Stone City Gate" that Cuicui had mentioned before. After being questioned, they entered the city and arrived at Shangyuan County.

According to Cuicui's description, she had already sketched out the appearance of Shangyuan County in her mind many times.

Reality differs from imagination.

But the deviation is not significant.

After asking for directions several times, we successfully found the Xuanjin Bridge that Cui Cui had mentioned.

But once he got here, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

"It's so close to the capital..." Ning Nan muttered to himself.

Xuanjin Bridge is located less than two hundred meters from the capital of the Great Liang Dynasty. It can be said to be right under the emperor's nose. There are exquisite carriages and sedan chairs coming and going. Every now and then, servants of important figures or patrolling soldiers would glance at it and cast a scrutinizing and sharp look.

Ning Nan's gaze swept across the Imperial City North Street ahead, lingering on the magnificent and imposing Imperial City of Liang. With its vermilion walls and golden tiles, it exuded solemnity and grandeur. Within those walls lay the power center of the entire Liang Dynasty, controlling the life and death of half the world... After a long while, Ning Nan withdrew his gaze and took a deep breath.

Turning around and crossing Xuanjin Bridge, I arrived at Datong Street. It was just past noon.

Datong Street is just one street away from the Imperial City. Along the way, I saw many impressive government offices. I suppose most of the people coming and going on this road are government officials, and they are quite high-ranking. Fortunately, these officials usually travel by sedan chair or carriage with servants running around outside, so I don't have to worry too much about accidentally bumping into someone.

Ning Nan was somewhat surprised that the Zhu family's business had grown to such a large scale.

Living in the capital is no easy feat, yet the Zhu family managed to open a tavern on Datong Street. This was hard to imagine; the rent alone must be astronomical. If the property belonged to the Zhu family without rent, it would be even more incredible—a veritable golden goose. He was immediately filled with confidence that the Zhu family could help him resolve his household registration issue.

"She's not someone like Shangguan Xiuxiu, a mere centurion in the Imperial Guard, can compare to." Ning Nan raised his eyebrows and puffed out his chest.

Fu Lai Tavern is located on the south side of Datong Street, and its large, gold-plated signboard is extremely eye-catching on the already bustling street.

Ning Nan, wearing straw sandals, stepped into the bustling tavern. The tavern was very spacious and antique, and there were many customers, including officials wearing green robes with birds embroidered on their chests. They were whispering to each other, and several waiters were running up and down the stairs, shouting something.

Ning Nan glanced over and saw a counter shaped like a crescent moon.

Just as he was about to go to the counter to ask the tavern owner to deliver the message, his expression suddenly froze, and he looked somewhat taken aback.

Just moments ago, he was outside secretly criticizing the outspoken and arrogant Shangguan Xiuxiu.

Unexpectedly, upon entering the tavern, they saw Shangguan Xiu, dressed in a black flying fish robe, drinking with several Imperial Guards dressed in dark blue flying fish robes in a corner of the tavern.

boom!

He saw Shangguan Xiu finish a bowl of wine and then slam his hand on the table!

"I'll fuck that son of a bitch Qin Yuanyao!" Shangguan Xiu slammed the bowl on the table, her face flushed, and cursed through gritted teeth.