The next day, during the chen hour, after the morning court session had concluded, Liu Hai whispered to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, the Baron of Pingyang requests an audience."
"Summon him to the Imperial Study," said Emperor Jingtai.
A short while later, Pei Shaoqing walked into the Imperial Study with his head bowed. The moment he crossed the threshold, his knees bent. Cupping his hands in salute, he shouted, "Your subject, Pei Shaoqing, pays his respects to my Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!"
By the time the last word left his lips, he had already slid a good distance forward, landing in a stable kneel in the middle of the Imperial Study.
Since his head remained bowed, he couldn't see Emperor Jingtai's face at all. His entire line of sight was filled with a few steps.
Emperor Jingtai, however, couldn't help but smile as he looked down upon the scene. The main reason was the stark contrast with the arrogant and unruly Pei Shaoqing of the past.
