The fifth day of the fifth month, the day of the Palace Examination.
At the third watch, Cui Fu had already harnessed the carriage and stood beside it, holding a lantern.
"Young master, this Palace Examination is clearly the most important test, yet it's the quietest."
"Waiting outside the East Flower Gate at the third watch-how could it be anything but quiet?"
With that, Wei Nisheng climbed into the carriage.
The curtain fell, shutting out the darkness outside.
The carriage stopped outside Zhang Zai's home.
Wei Nisheng did not get out. He merely lifted the curtain and glanced at the black-painted wooden door.
The door was already open. Zhang Zai stood in the doorway, with his page, Chen Yi, behind him.
Chen Yi also held a lantern and was still muttering something.
"Brother Wei!" Seeing the carriage, Zhang Zai strode over and climbed inside without another word.
He plopped down beside Wei Nisheng and let out a long breath.
"I got up at the third watch. I'm dead tired."
Wei Nisheng glanced at him. "You didn't sleep last night?"
"I did, but I couldn't get to sleep." Zhang Zai rubbed his eyes.
"I tossed and turned like a pancake on a griddle. When I finally fell asleep,
"I dreamed I was late. It jolted me awake, and when I checked, it was only the second watch.
"I lay down again for a while, but I really couldn't stay in bed, so I got up."
Wei Nisheng smiled without saying anything.
He had been unable to sleep either; he simply had not said so.
The carriage continued onward, crossing the long street toward the East Flower Gate.
The night was still deep. Almost no one on the streets was out idling; they were all examination candidates hurrying to the Palace Examination.