"What is Joy and Sorrow Wine?"

Several enthusiastic drinkers in the bustling tavern hall loudly asked their questions.

But no one answered them.

Master Hong exclaimed "Aiyo" and hurriedly left the kitchen with his two gourds of fine wine, afraid someone might snatch them from him.

He wanted to hide his Joy and Sorrow Wine.

At the same time, Chen Xu received a new notification: [You named the new wine 'Joy and Sorrow,' triggering genuine approval from drinkers, gaining +200 likes.]

[Joy and Sorrow Wine: Based on Flowing Clouds Wine, containing a faint hint of Spiritual Qi, though not enough to be called a Spirit Wine, it has a subtle spiritual quality.

It has a slight chance of broadening the drinker's mind, allowing them to face the sorrows of life directly in the midst of intoxication, hence the name Joy and Sorrow.]

Oh, it can be like this?

This was yet another pleasant surprise.

This pleasant surprise could even be considered profoundly significant and immensely valuable.

Chen Xu immediately realized that the "naming rights" were evidently equivalent to infinite possibilities!

He just wasn't sure what the limitations of "naming" were?

Chen Xu speculated that such "naming" couldn't possibly be without limitations.

For example, he just named the newly blended Flowing Clouds Wine "Joy and Sorrow," and if it hadn't "triggered genuine approval from drinkers," this naming probably wouldn't have succeeded.

Perhaps even if it succeeded, it likely wouldn't have gained new attributes.

Moreover, the complete Flowing Clouds Spirit Wine already had an attribute line that [drinking it can make one feel joyful], which had relevance to the name "Joy and Sorrow."

And wine, by its nature, when drunk, can embolden the heart and stir the spirit.

The fact that "Joy and Sorrow Wine" could be successfully named must be connected to these various conditions.

As for whether there are other factors, Chen Xu couldn't determine them all at once.

His mind worked quickly; in a brief moment, he had already analyzed most of the new notification.

However, many things cannot rely solely on assumptions; to have definite conclusions, one must gradually explore and practice repeatedly.

In any case, this morning has been quite rewarding.

Chen Xu was content and fulfilled.

Soon after, Wu Zhengze, Master Yao, Wang Mochuan, and others descended the stairs as well.

The grand event at Qihai Mountain, Xu Wenyuan had already decided not to join the excitement, but Wu Zhengze and the others didn't mind.

Especially Wang Mochuan, who also planned to take part in the provincial examination this autumn.

Therefore, it was necessary for him to broaden his horizons and see what talents there were among his peers in Yunjiang Prefecture.

Even more so in the entirety of the Seven Prefectures of the South, among the scholars with titles, how outstanding the exceptional ones truly were.

One can't just sit in a well looking at the sky, closing their eyes and ears, and muddle through the exam, right?

Moreover, the scholar examination is quite different from the previous scholar exam.

"Writing fame" is indeed an important aspect of the exam.

It's not that the examiners rely on "writing fame" to judge the papers.

The scholar examination already has an "anonymous recording system," where the candidates' information is hidden during grading, so it's usually not possible to rely on "writing fame."

But then again, can "information" really be perfectly hidden by the anonymous recording system?

Besides, after the announcement of the ranking, those with writing fame are often more easily recognized by their fellow candidates.

If one has no writing fame whatsoever, it might easily lead to complications.

Qihai Mountain is ten miles north of Yunjiang City.

This time, they didn't take a carriage but leisurely strolled along.

Leaving the tavern, they walked down long streets and short alleys, then crossed the Cloud Water Bridge, witnessing the bustling and prosperity of the long street shops and the quarrels and chaos of the urban neighborhood—

Of course, there were also peaceful and serene scenes and moments that brought a knowing smile.

For instance, by the Cloud Water Bridge, where weeping willows lined the banks, as a vendor carrying candied hawthorns walked by, a crisp young girl's voice suddenly called out: "Hey, you selling candied hawthorns, give me one."

The girl wearing a veiled hat bought a candied hawthorn, but didn't eat it herself; instead, she carefully walked to the side of a blue-tiled white-walled building and suddenly shouted into it:

"Suniang, I bought a candied hawthorn, do you want some?"

A surprised young girl's voice came from inside: "Yes, please throw it in for me."

The girl with the candied hawthorn playfully said: "I won't give it to you unless you lend me that civet cat you got the other day for two days."

The girl inside got anxious: "That's not possible. This civet cat is very temperamental and won't allow anyone else to touch it but me."

"Then you don't want the candied hawthorn?"

"I... I can buy some myself!"

The girl outside the wall smugly smiled: "Hehe, but you can't come out."

...

The playful cuteness of the scene was truly more vibrant than the morning dew on early spring branches.

Even the stern Master Wu, when passing by this scene on the Cloud Water Bridge, couldn't help but smile.

He suddenly sighed softly, saying: "Such ordinary moments in life, I hope three years, five years, ten years later… we can still witness them again."

This sentence seemed to carry deep meaning, and Master Yao frowned, saying: "It was like this ten years ago, and it should be like this ten years later too. Wu, don't be an alarmist."

Wu Zhengze paused, then gently stroked his short beard under his chin, saying: "Indeed, it's unnecessary to be... an alarmist."

Of course, the city wasn't only filled with sunny moments.

After crossing the Cloud Water Bridge, upon reaching the northern part of the city, suddenly many ragged figures appeared.

The northern area of the city, being close to the Prefecture City Academy, was supposed to be particularly elegant.

Yet peculiarly, there were quite a number of beggars in the north of the city.

Several even approached Chen Xu and his companions, cupping their hands to ask Wang Mochuan for silver coins.

Because among the group, Wang Mochuan was the one dressed in the most luxurious attire.

Wang Mochuan initially wanted to give generously, but Master Yao suddenly said: "If you help one now, in moments you'll have to help dozens or hundreds; try it yourself."

Hearing this, Wang Mochuan fell silent.

He held onto his pouch at his waist without a word, and after a while, seeing that Wang Mochuan showed no signs of relenting, the beggars eventually tapped their bamboo staffs and huddled together to leave.

Wang Xin couldn't help but exclaim: "While there are many beggars in the north of the city, they are surprisingly reasonable, which is rare."

Wu Zhengze replied: "If you find it rare, you can come to the north of the city more often to observe for a few days, maybe you'll understand the reason."

Wang Xin scratched his head and said: "That's not necessary, I'm not that curious."

These words were humorously timid, causing everyone to laugh.

But the previous leisurely strolling mood was somewhat disrupted.

Wu Zhengze said: "Poverty and hardship are present everywhere in the world. You all usually stay closed indoors studying diligently, reading about it on paper is not as vivid as seeing it with your own eyes."

Wang Xin said, confused: "Master, I see it, but I can't save these people."

"If you're poor, maintain your integrity alone; if successful, help the world. No one will blame you for not helping," Wu Zhengze said. "Just as I don't help, and no one faults me for it either."

Wang Xin scratched his head and said: "Then Master, why do we still look at them?"

"Are you specifically here to look at them? Aren't you observing the entire world?" Wu Zhengze suddenly pointed forward, "Look, we've reached the city gate. Qihai Mountain is over there."

The area by the North City Gate was extremely bustling, with vendors and locals jostling and lining up to leave the city.

From a distance, one could hear the excited voices of the people saying: "Qihai Mountain is giving out gifts, I must go and get two red envelopes back today."

"Tsk, you better hope you can even get up the mountain..."

"How could I not? I've heard that the Hundred Words Stele at the foot of Qihai Mountain is emitting red smoke today; do you know what that means?"

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