The post house had to accommodate not only the caravan headed to the Academic Palace but also envoys passing information between north and south, as well as various officials. The Academic Palace candidates held a distinguished status, though not excessively so. According to regulations, after a simple meal, a fellow student from Yizhou suggested holding a banquet in the pavilion that evening, where they could recite poetry and engage in literary exchanges. However, Ji Linglang refused, citing her need to study the classics.
Zhai Yiming also spoke up in agreement, saying that they would face the first round of the Academic Palace examinations a month after arriving in Chang'an and thus had to study the classics every minute they could. Once Zhai Yiming had spoken, the fellow student, feeling embarrassed, apologized. Everyone then returned to their rooms, and Li Ang went back to his to read as well.
