"Why would someone from the palace come at this hour?"
Xie Huizhou sensed something ominous. After all, all kinds of unexpected incidents always followed the protagonist, and cannon fodder like them who got close could easily be caught in the crossfire.
Alarm bells immediately rang in his mind.
Zhou Yanqing pondered for a moment. "Could it be the imperial decree appointing me to office? Let's go out and have a look first."
In this dynasty, newly successful imperial examination candidates were generally appointed to office at the Qionglin Banquet. They either stayed in the Capital City or were dispatched elsewhere to serve as officials.
Everyone wanted to stay in the capital. A smooth rise through the ranks as a capital official was better than uncertain prospects out in the provinces.
As it happened, the incident with the Eighth Prince had delayed the appointment decrees. His funeral was still underway, which was why they had been held up until now.
The protagonist's career arc has begun!
Xie Huizhou immediately perked up. Driven by curiosity, he followed the others to the gates of Anping Marquis Residence, where he spotted several eunuchs as soon as he arrived.
Several eunuchs from the palace had come to the gates of Anping Marquis Residence. Their voices were shrill, and they held an imperial decree, filled with emotion at the sight of the residence's decline.
"How grand Anping Marquis Residence used to be. It never recovered after the old marquis died. Only a boy who hadn't even come of age was left to head the household. Hardly anyone remembers Anping Marquis Residence now."
The old Marquis of Anping had earned his title through military merit. He had led a great army all the way to Mount Langjuxu to perform the rites proclaiming victory, cutting an impressive figure.