The carriage came to a stop outside the Feng Residence.
Wei Nisheng lifted the curtain, and the moment he stepped down, he froze.
The Feng Residence's two vermilion gates stood open as wide as they could go, and the stone steps before the threshold had been swept spotless.
Inside, a Covered Passage led straight to the Central Hall.
At the sight, Wei Nisheng stood motionless at the entrance.
The last time the Feng Residence's Central Gate had opened wide had been three years ago.
He had gone from an abandoned child no one cared about to the disciple of a Three-Dynasty Veteran.
Fu Niang hopped down from the carriage then. Seeing him standing there in a daze, she smiled with her lips pressed together.
"Grandpa's waiting for you."
Wei Nisheng came to his senses and handed his bundle to the servant approaching him.
He straightened his clothes and headwear, then stepped over the threshold.
His steps were not quick, but each was steadier than the last.
The Covered Passage was long. It had taken him three years to walk from the entrance to the Central Hall.
Inside the Central Hall, the lamps shone brightly.
Feng Yan sat upright in the seat of honor.
A purple robe, a jade belt, a Silver Fish Pouch.
His hair and beard were snowy white and meticulously groomed. His back was perfectly straight, his hands resting on his knees.
Wei Nisheng entered the Central Hall.
He did not pause at the entrance, did not bow, did not say, "Your student pays his respects, Teacher."
He strode straight up to Feng Yan, lifted his robe, and knelt, touching his forehead to the floor.
"Teacher, Ni Sheng is home!"
One sentence.
No "How did the examination go?" No "Sorry for the wait." None of those needless pleasantries.