With the Provincial Examination approaching, every teahouse along the way was packed to capacity. Zhao Yan liked to find a corner seat to spend time by himself, ordering a pot of tea and lingering for half a day. He silently observed everything, picking up bits of information he wouldn’t normally have access to—it was a pastime in its own right.
Teahouses were categorized by their clientele, and Zhao Yan frequented those where scholars gathered; the prices were moderate and the environment decent. He was here to scout for information related to the exam, not to listen to tales of love and vengeance. Whether the tea tasted good was secondary; usefulness was what mattered most.
Therefore, he didn't just walk into any teahouse; they were carefully selected.
Chapter 282