The Carefree Young Scholar.

Summary

In a tavern, a young scholar is confronted by a ragged woman claiming to be his wife, Yao Niang, who has traveled for a year with their sick daughter, Xiao Man. The scholar, embarrassed and unwilling to acknowledge her, rejects her, leaving her and the child heartbroken. The tavern patrons express disdain for the scholar, comparing him to fictional characters who abandon their families. Meanwhile, discussions about the kingdom's governance and the influence of scholars unfold in a nearby tea house, where a young man is forcibly taken away for failing to pay for services. The narrative critiques the moral failings of scholars and highlights the struggles of women and children in a harsh society.

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