March 15 · Luo Residence
A soft call woke Luo Pei. He rubbed his eyes, sat up, and asked, "What time is it?"
"It's the third quarter of the Hour of the Ox." The household servant Luo Ba spoke softly. "There's still plenty of time!"
"Not early anymore." Luo Pei put on his official robe, straightened his cap and belt, wiped his face with a hot towel, and said, "By now, the anxious candidates are probably already lining up at the Examination Compound."
As he spoke, Luo Pei strode swiftly out of the bedroom. A gust of wind rushed straight at his face. It was already March, and the days had begun to warm, but the predawn air was still bitterly cold and damp, sweeping away the last traces of sleepiness.
Seeing him emerge, a servant hurried forward and bowed. "Master, the person you ordered to wait has arrived."
"Mm, I know." Luo Pei looked up at the vault of the sky. It was rare to have such a starry night, though a faint brownish haze rimmed the heavens. He did not hesitate any longer. Circling past the artificial hill, he saw a small hall. Luo Pei entered and saw a man inside.
"What did His Highness say?" Luo Pei asked in a deep voice the moment he entered.
"His Highness said that everything has been prepared. You need only preside over the Examination Compound, as well as the great matter to come." The man stood with his hands lowered. "If there is any news in between, this humble one will certainly relay it."
Luo Pei no longer hesitated and barked, "Prepare an ox cart for me. Call the men at once and come with me to the Examination Compound."
"Yes!" Luo Pei governed his household strictly, and Luo Ba