The Capital, the imperial palace, the Imperial Study.
Emperor Jing of Zhou sat behind his desk, with more than a dozen Palace Examination Policy Essays spread before him.
They were all candidates for the second tier, personally selected by the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy from the hundred and thirty-six submissions the night before.
He had read every one and marked every one. On some, he had even written a few brief words in the margins.
Wang Cheng had stood in attendance beside him for a long time. His feet were already aching, yet he dared not move and kept even his breathing exceedingly light.
"The talents of this examination bloom like a hundred flowers vying in splendor." The emperor set his vermilion brush on its stand and made no further annotations.
Seeing this, Wang Cheng hurriedly said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the morning hour has passed. It is time for breakfast."
Emperor Jing of Zhou did not answer.
Wang Cheng dared not urge him again. He stepped back and continued standing.
He knew the emperor was thinking, and he must not be interrupted while he thought.
Interrupting him would accomplish nothing. It would only irritate the emperor.
Only after roughly the time it took to drink a cup of tea did Emperor Jing of Zhou straighten in his seat.
He reached for the Policy Essay marked with a red circle and read it again.
After reading it, he put it down and picked up another, also circled. He glanced at it, then put it down again.
He repeated this several times before finally gathering all the circled Policy Essays together, straightening their edges, and setting them at the corner of his desk.
"Wang Cheng." He spoke, his voice weary.
"Your servant is here."
"Has the