Chapter 188 – Ascending Upwards on Stairs (2/2)

That evening, as twilight was at its deepest, a horse carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Imperial Palace. Tang Thirty-Six hopped out first, following this, Xuan Yuan Po caused the ground to lightly tremble, then Chen Chang Sheng walked down from the carriage.

Before the Imperial Palace, it was filled with people. Nearby were the young students from the various academies and sects, farther away, were those from the populace that had come to observe the revelry; the wish of those from the Capital for merriment was something that couldn’t be affected by the time or the weather.

Seeing the three from Orthodox Academy, especially Chen Chang Sheng, the sounds of discussion from the masses immediately rose, the expressions on the young examinees also had some changes.

Tonight, from the Grand Examination’s Three Banners, a total of 42 examinees were all attending Her Divine Majesty’s banquet that was being held at the Hall of Brilliance, singing, dancing and drinking in celebration, they would then stay at the palace and directly head for the Mausoleum of Books on the second night.

Only Chen Chang Sheng, who had obtained first upon the First Banner, couldn’t participate in this banquet, but instead, had to quietly contemplate alone in the Pavilion of Ascending Mist for a night, because this was the rule.

The changes in expression for the populace and examinees was due to this. The Pavilion of Ascending Mist is a sacred edifice, and also a guarded and restricted location, only during the Great Rites or when the government has had something significant occur, would the sovereign enter the structure, apart from this, only the Grand Examination’s first upon the First Banner would be allowed to perform quiet contemplation inside for a night.

Outwardly, this naturally appeared to be a hard to come by honour, but in reality, no one considered this to be a good thing.

Within the Pavilion of Ascending Mist, there definitely would not be bedding; quiet contemplation for a night would likely require sitting on your knees; not mentioning sleep, even wanting to rest for a while would be something extremely difficult. Being as such for an entire night, by morning you would definitely be very fatigued and weary, being greatly affected when you enter the Mausoleum of Books to discern The Way.

No one could understand why Emperor Taizong had set this rule all those years ago, they could only conclude that the mighty ruler wanted to increase the loyalty of each Grand Examination’s first upon the First Banner towards the government through this method.

However, through the passage of years and moons, this kind of rule had become nothing more than a rule, being disremembered to the point of disregard by many; only for Chen Chang Sheng, was this rule not simply a rule, but was instead, an important event. Leaving Xi Ning Village, coming to the Capital, entering Orthodox Academy, participating in the Grand Examination and experiencing so many hardships and danger… all of these things were for this sole reason.

Under the escort of countless gazes, he walked through the lonely and cold palace door.

Under the lead of a head eunuch, he headed for the deepest part of the palace, passing the derelict garden and the Palace of Embodied Light. These were all places he had once been to; he then saw the towering palace wall to the West and the green ivy that climbed up on the wall, knowing that Orthodox Academy and the Hundred Herb Garden were in that direction.

The farther into the Imperial Palace they went, the quieter it became, to the point where it could perhaps even be called secluded; previously, they would occasionally see some palace maids and eunuchs, but now, none could be seen. The ceremonial music from the faraway Hall of Brilliance had also become increasingly faint, as if it had become the sound from a separate world. It finally completely vanished, a wake of silence.

That head eunuch had quietly left at some unknown time.

Only Chen Chang Sheng and a lone building remained.

That tall structure loomed ahead solitarily; there was no possibility of mistaking it, it was the Pavilion of Ascending Mist.

Even without guidance, he would not be lost, because there was only a single path to the pavilion.

The Pavilion of Ascending Mist is extremely tall, and the path, extremely straight, being formed from countless stone steps.

Night had already enveloped the Capital and a myriad of stars had once again arrived unto the human realm.

Starlight shone onto the stone steps, covering them with a faint layer of brilliance. Gazing at it from below to above, the steps seemed without end, as if they were to lead up into the highest reaches of the night sky.

Chen Chang Sheng didn’t have any hesitation, following along the steps and heading towards the pavilion that was within the darkness. His steps were very steady, yet not slow; the hands that were by his sides were lightly clenched into fists, representing his nervousness and anticipation.

A gust of wind blew in and his clothing fluttered; sounds of rustling abounded.