Chapter 183 – Only a Lowered Head Can Bear That Crown (1/2)

Under countless gazes, that youth silently advanced. From his demeanour, he seemed a little stiff, but was controlling it fairly well, without appearing overly nervous. His steps were steady and his academy uniform gently fluttered in the wind, it wasn’t all that dazzling to the eyes, but was very neat, the same feeling he himself gave others.

“So that’s Chen Chang Sheng?”

Within the crowd that were gathered in the plaza before the Hall of Grand Clarity, there erupted a multitude of sounds from discussion and questioning.

Chen Chang Sheng had long been famous in the Capital, a lot of people had heard of his name, knew of his background and knew of that betrothal, but today, for many, it was their first time seeing him.

It was only now, that many of the populace could form a real impression of him. They discovered that he wasn’t the same as Tang Thirty-Six in being a refined and elegant nobleman, neither was he a pretty boy, but instead, he was someone that gave others the feeling that he was approachable.

Chen Chang Sheng walked up the stone steps, arriving before the hall, he turned around to look at the sea of people on the plaza.

Beside him, there was an ebony table, upon the table, there was a garland of thistles. Sunlight spilled in from the edge of the clouds above, falling upon the garland and scattering into faint rays of light.

The garland of thistles didn’t have any gold or jade, looking rather plain, but it represented the hardships and glory that are on the path of cultivation, being extremely significant within the Orthodoxy’s traditions, while also being a symbol of first upon the First Banner in the Grand Examination.

It slowly became quiet in front of the Hall of Grand Clarity; everyone had been waiting for this moment.

Those examinees, court officials and bishops standing in front of the hall, looked at the image of Chen Chang Sheng’s back as he stood before them, their moods were various; some were gratified; some were calm; some were envious; some were indifferent. However, no matter what they felt, at this moment and time, they could only wait upon Chen Chang Sheng receiving this heavy accolade.

What was somewhat surprising, was that His Excellency, The Prime Minister, who was in charge of awards for the three that were ranked upon the Grand Examination’s First Banner, had retreated to the crowd at some point and was no longer situated before the hall, whom therefore, was going to do the awarding?

It was at that moment, the sunlight from the heavens above that fell upon the garland of thistles suddenly dispersed, becoming countless strands before congregating into a ball of light in front of the hall; it was a holy and pristine, white ball of light.

Gasps of exclamation resonated before the Hall of Grand Clarity.

The divine radiance receded and a tall figure slowly emerged from within.

The figure was an elderly person wearing Sacred Robes, their head bore the Holy Crown and their hand held a staff of ordinance.

Divine music played out in unison, a hallowed and dignified presence enveloped the entire area.

Sounds of shock continuously arose, then rapidly returned to silence.

Limitless people prostrated themselves in greeting and reverence towards the elderly person, with the sea of people being akin to a wave; all heads lowered in deference.

Venerations to His Holiness, The Pope.

His Holiness, who had rarely appeared before the world for the past few years, had actually made a personal appearance, this was something no one could have anticipated, causing them to feel dumbstruck, what was this for?

Isn’t Chen Chang Sheng a student of Orthodox Academy? Wasn’t Orthodox Academy personally crushed by His Holiness many years ago? Wasn’t the Orthodoxy currently in a tense situation, with the new and tradition factions confronting and challenging each other?

Apart from His Holiness, The Pope, another elderly person had also appeared before the Hall of Grand Clarity – His Eminence, Archbishop Mei Li Sha, had a peaceful expression on his face as he received the staff of ordinance from His Holiness, he then retreated to one side.

His Holiness used his hands to lift the garland of thistles from the table and then walked to the front of Chen Chang Sheng.

Chen Chang Sheng was currently dumbfounded, not knowing what he should do, he subconsciously looked towards the Archbishop that was by the side, His Eminence smiled and nodded his head.

His Holiness looked at Chen Chang Sheng and smiled as he said: “If you don’t lower your head, who will be able to help you wear the laurel wreath?”

Those words seemed to explain what was currently happening, but also seemed to have some sort of deeper meaning. However, how could Chen Chang Sheng possibly have the time to currently think of such matters, he quickly bent his knee slightly, lowering his head.

His Holiness placed the garland of thistles upon Chen Chang Sheng’s head and carefully adjusted its positioning before finally being satisfied, His Holiness then said: “I have always considered these twigs to be rather unappealing; I don’t know how those in the past felt, but placing it upon your head, it feels very invigorating, not bad.”

Chen Chang Sheng was currently still in a state of stock and couldn’t understand the hidden meaning of His Holiness’ words, but at the very least, he could tell that His Holiness was praising him.

Not bad? How many young people could be evaluated as “not bad” by His Holiness? He only knew that Mo Yu and Prince Chen Liu had previously received this kind of evaluation, now, it was his turn.

“Rise,” said His Holiness.

Chen Chang Sheng stood straight as instructed, he involuntarily raised his hand and touched the garland of thistles on the top of his head, relying upon the hard and thorny sensation to verify the authenticity of everything before finally calming down slightly.

Seeing his actions, His Holiness started laughing.

It was only then, that Chen Chang Sheng could finally see His Holiness’ appearance clearly.

The Pope was an elderly person, with an aged face.

That face was very ordinary, with its most discerning feature being that its eyes were very deeply set, as if they were a deep abyss, yet, it wasn’t terrifying, because it contained a cerulean sea and azure sky within, alongside sunlight.

The sea within The Pope’s eyes were as calm and serene as mirrors under the brilliance of the sun, boundlessly blue, unknown as to how profoundly deep they might be, or how vast, if the sunlight was to withdraw and hurricanes were to suddenly appear, it would naturally become turbulent and perilous, with unending thunder and lightning, but currently, there was only sunlight, without any storms, therefore there was only benevolence, absolution and placidity.

This was the first time Chen Chang Sheng had seen such a gaze, in but a moment, it felt as if his body had become warm and cosy, wanting to step into that warm sea water; perhaps freely swimming within, or perhaps resting.

After a long period of time, he finally came to his senses.

After regaining his senses, through the sensation of the garland on his finger, he came to realise that only a moment had actually passed, he had yet to even retract his hand.