For three consecutive days, Bai Shan brought Mianzhou and Yizhou's unique pastries to the Imperial Academy. He quickly became familiar with five or six classmates and even joined them for two poetry gatherings after school, through which he met other students from different classes.
Meanwhile, Wei Zhi had just entered the palace to inform the Emperor, "Your Majesty, they dare not be unfilial."
It took the Emperor a moment to understand, then he was speechless for a while, "They dare not be unfilial, but do they dare to be disloyal?"
Lord Wei solemnly said, "Your Majesty, your words are too harsh. They did not refuse, and I was about to admonish them. Now that you know of their grievances, why not summon them to Taiji Hall for questioning? They can then plead their case before Your Majesty."
The Emperor was silent for a long time before he said, "I can ensure their safety through the ordeal of the beating stick; let them plead during the Mid-Autumn Festival."
