After every Imperial Examination, stories of the top scorer's parade through Scholar's Street circulate, such as which newly appointed scholars were favored, who had been deemed the most ideal son-in-law by certain families, and some were even caught as bridesgrooms beneath the exam list. The storytellers in tea houses can talk about these tales non-stop all day.
Naturally, besides these pleasant affairs, this cohort of scholars gave rise to some bizarre rumors, among which the matter of the Changchuan Marquis Mansion was the most hotly discussed.
It is said that Mr. Wenyuan of Changchuan Marquis Mansion secured the fifth rank in the second class, but joy turned to sorrow. On the day the Imperial Examination results were announced, Mr. Wenyuan returned home and encountered evil sorcery, leaving him somewhat unwell.
