Before the fourth quarter of the hour, the entire court of civil and military officials stood at the palace gate, waiting for it to open.
Every day the morning assembly starts promptly, but the palace gates open in the fourth quarter of the hour.
The gate guards opened the palace gates promptly at the fourth quarter, and the officials entered in turn, heading towards Chengguang Hall.
On regular days, officials would enter the palace cheerfully chatting, but in the past few days, they have entered in silence.
Ever since the Yangzhou incident reached the capital, the atmosphere in the city changed immediately, becoming extremely oppressive. Whether commoners or officials, everyone became silent, fearing to speak carelessly.
The doors of Chengguang Hall have not yet opened, so the officials went to the side hall to wait.
This side hall is specifically for the officials to rest in.
Just as the officials sat down, eunuchs brought them hot tea.