Scholar Awaiting Imperial Summons at the Golden Horse Gate

On his way back to Chang'an City, Zhang Xuezhou encountered a young eunuch sent to summon him to the palace.

That got him a ride back to Chang'an City.

After sounding the eunuch out, Zhang Xuezhou had a general idea of what had happened.

Compared with looking for a chance encounter outside Chang'an City, Zhang Xuezhou thought being summoned by the new emperor was a good option too.

Kong Zhong and the others had met the new emperor more easily than Zhang Xuezhou had imagined.

He had only been giving it a try, but Kong Zhong had turned out to be capable enough to see the new emperor directly.

Kong Zhong had that ability, but Zhang Xuezhou did not.

Although Zhang Xuezhou had entered the palace lying down several times and knew the general layout of the palace grounds, he lacked permission to enter the Sima Gate, let alone reach Weiyang Palace.

Only when summoned by imperial decree was Zhang Xuezhou qualified to enter that area through proper channels.

Amid the rumble of carriage wheels, he reached the palace grounds at the hour of Xu, around seven in the evening.

By then, the sky was dark, and snowflakes were drifting down again.

Zhang Xuezhou lowered his head for a while, and when he raised it, he looked several years older.

He climbed out of the carriage and followed the hurrying young eunuch. After passing through two long corridors and crossing an exceedingly broad square, Zhang Xuezhou entered Weiyang Palace.

"Your Majesty, Dongfang Shuo, the Gongche Sima commandant of the East Sima Gate, has been brought here!"

"This subject pays his respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with every fortune!"

Weiyang Palace was not a single great hall. It also had side halls and smaller halls, with courtyards