Seeing that the emperor already knows everything, the hall manager wisely chose silence over elaboration.
That night, long after the palace lamps had been lit and the servants had begun preparing for rest, the emperor called all his courtiers into a meeting.
Every high-ranking courtier received the same concise command: to gather in a main hall.
The courtiers grumbled. Being called in the dead of night was rarely a good sign. It usually meant either war or scandal.
Still, none dared ignore the order. Regardless of their schedules or exhaustion, they put their emotions aside, quickly donned their official robes, and made haste to the meeting chamber.
By the time thirty minutes passed midnight, the hall was already half filled.
The emperor walked in and swept his gaze across the hall.
"Good, everyone is here," he said as he sat on his throne.
Without further ado, the hall manager explained the reason for the late meeting.
