Outside the Grand Minister of Ceremonies’ Residence.
A young man in his twenties hurried toward it, carrying a thick stack of books.
The young man had refined features and an imposing bearing. His expression was solemn, and even his posture as he walked was so upright that no one dared take him lightly.
When he reached the entrance, the Master of Guest Rites was just coming out. At the sight of the young man, he paused, then hurried to bow in greeting.
"Maoxian? What brings you here?"
The Master of Guest Rites asked dubiously.
This young man was none other than Zhang Hua, Erudite of the Grand Minister of Ceremonies.
Zhang Hua asked in puzzlement, "Where else would I go if not here?"
The Master of Guest Rites laughed. "Have you not heard about the great events at court?"
"Oh? What has happened?"
The Master of Guest Rites glanced around and lowered his voice. "I hear the Grand General is gravely ill, and the Empress Dowager is to take power!"
Zhang Hua nodded, then asked again, "What does that have to do with my coming to the Grand Minister of Ceremonies’ Residence on business?"
"What work is there to do now? Even the Grand Minister of Ceremonies hasn't come, and almost all the officials have gone home. At a critical moment like this, stop thinking about such trivial matters..."
Zhang Hua replied, "Does upheaval at court mean we can neglect our own duties?"
"I believe that, as Erudite of the Grand Minister of Ceremonies, checking whether the ritual paraphernalia in the Grand Minister of Ceremonies’ Residence is damaged matters more than concerning myself with the Empress Dowager taking power at court."
The Master of Guest Rites stared in astonishment for a moment before saying with a bitter smile, "You... please