Li Qingxian and his two companions slept like the dead, not waking for an entire day and night.
Early the next morning, while Li Qingxian was still fast asleep, a guard of the Guard Commander summoned him.
When he returned, everyone from the Divine Capital Office congratulated him, envy written all over their faces.
Li Qingxian wore a brand-new principal ninth-rank official robe, its black wolf insignia set against a green background edged with gold stitching. A cloth pouch inlaid with a copper fish now hung at his waist, with a green official-seal ribbon suspended between his belt and the pouch.
Inside his Heaven-and-Earth Bracelet was a new large blue cloth bundle containing a principal ninth-rank official's ceremonial robes, court robes, public-duty robes, leisure robes, and battle robes. What he wore now was his everyday uniform.
When he walked into the Jia-Nine Office, Han Anbo and Yu Ping froze.
A green brocade robe, a black wolf crouched upon his chest, bold brows lifted high, eyes shining-he positively radiated spirit.
Yu Ping ran over. "Let me touch the black wolf. When I was little, I thought this was the most impressive official robe of all. I dreamed of wearing one."
As he spoke, he bent forward and stroked the embroidered black wolf, gently and carefully.
Han Anbo's expression relaxed, and he smiled. "If there's nothing to do today, buy some food and wine, and let's visit Captain Zheng."
"Would that be appropriate?"
"If you were only tenth rank, he might feel a knot in his heart. But now that you've risen to principal ninth rank, he'll be happier than you are."
"All right. I'll stop by home, too. I haven't been back in so long, my aunt and uncle must be missing me."
"Is young Lord Li here?" a familiar voice