全椒县儒生方林，因恋人遭同乡吴嵩觊觎，在乡试中惨遭陷害。　　此后方林屡试不第，爱人小玥更是遭吴嵩所夺。方林心灰意冷，躲在私塾中潜心教学，只求能平安了此残生，却因为四个充满正义感的年轻人和一桩乡试弊渎案，再次被卷入了吴嵩的阴谋之中。　　此时吴嵩已官拜大学士，权势熏天。为了世间正义，方林与知府徐天佑携手

An alluringly low-key and enigmatic portrayal of the alienation, disillusionment and loss of direction that have become widespread among young people