"I heard that the Regent raided the Prime Minister's mansion last night?"
Ministers who had caught wind of something during the morning court began to whisper amongst themselves.
"My mansion is on the same street as the Prime Minister's. I saw the Regent surround the Prime Minister's mansion with the Imperial Guards, blocking all exits."
"The Regent is trying to eliminate dissent and dominate the court."
"First, the Grand Censor was forced into retirement, and now the Prime Minister's estate has been raided. The next..."
No one dared to continue speaking. Perhaps the next one would be one of them.
"It is a pity that His Majesty is young and cannot govern personally."
The ministers sighed and shook their heads.
"The Regent arrives..."
As the voice of the inner palace guards pierced the sky, the ministers quickly divided into two lines, standing in neat formation.
Clad in a purple-gold brocade robe adorned with nine dragons playing with a pearl, if not for the Empress still being in the palace, he would have likely donned the dragon robe himself long ago.
Xue Wenjie slowly ascended the steps. His gaze was fixed only on the golden dragon throne. Yes, he had coveted it for many years, from the Great Emperor of Huangze to the current Empress of Huangze. Every day, every moment, he felt like he was counting years. He wanted to sit on that throne.
His hand touched the lifelike dragon's head. He only needed to take two more steps to be seated.
The ministers below exchanged glances, thinking the Regent was impatient. Da Feng Novel Network
"His Majesty arrives!"
Another voice announced.
Two figures appeared at the entrance. Among them, the bright yellow dragon robe was exceptionally striking.
A slender, tall figure walked step by step into the hall.
Her aura was majestic, noble, and composed.
As the figure drew nearer, all the ministers bowed their heads, "Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"
At this moment, only two people stood there: Xue Zining, adorned in the dragon robe, and the Regent, Xue Wenjie, his hand still resting on the dragon throne.
For a moment, surging undercurrents churned within the hall.
The palpable aura of aggression emanating from the Regent, Xue Wenjie, directly confronted them.
"Does the Regent not pay homage to His Majesty?"
A clear, cold voice echoed, imbued with authority.
The ministers were astonished. For years, the Regent had never knelt to the Empress in court. And now...
"The Prime Minister, it's the Prime Minister!" someone exclaimed, finally recognizing the youth beside the Empress as Prime Minister Hua Yunjin.
The ministers were surprised. Had the Regent failed to raid the Prime Minister's mansion last night?
The ministers' gazes briefly lingered on the young Prime Minister beside the Empress before turning towards the Regent.
The Regent's hand, resting on the dragon's head, showed bulging veins, as if about to snap.
"Imperial Uncle has an imperial decree from the former Emperor, exempting him from kneeling. Prime Minister, have you forgotten?" the voice drifted from the maiden's lips.
Hua Yunjin seemed to recall, "This minister remembers. It is indeed so. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
The Regent's gaze, as cold as ice, fixed directly on the maiden below.
The maiden, unperturbed, ascended the steps. As she passed him, she offered a smile before seating herself firmly upon the dragon throne.
"Report any matters, and then you may withdraw," the maiden's ruby lips parted as she spoke.
Two hours later, the Regent, with a flick of his sleeve, departed first.
After the Empress left, the ministers swarmed towards the Prime Minister, inquiring about last night's events.
The Prime Minister simply bowed repeatedly towards the Empress's retreating figure and said, "This minister was merely blessed by the true Son of Heaven."
The true Son of Heaven? The ministers pondered.