Gauze curtains swayed softly,
Lord and lady danced, their voices ringing in their ears.
Unaware of the primal surging path,
They heard only the cries of birds and beasts.
They indulged in madness until dawn, becoming bound by fate from that day onward.
The next day.
Yin Yang Hall.
Two figures slowly entered the hall. The man was otherworldly and refined, while the woman was beautiful and graceful.
Once they reached the throne, they both took their seats. The ministers below were utterly stunned, then erupted into an endless uproar.
Rebukes and accusations rang out without pause.
"Your Majesty, this must not be done!"
"Your Majesty, how can the State Preceptor sit beside the ruler? It violates both law and reason!"
"Your Majesty..."
Facing the ministers' harsh condemnation, Xiao Chi remained calm and merely sneered.
They were nothing but mortals—rigid, ignorant fools.
"Silence!" Xi Yao's imposing voice rang out as she directly ignored the ministers' rebukes.
How could a ruler be constrained by a group of subjects? Besides, Xi Yao had a major decision to announce at this morning court session.
After a while, the ministers finally fell silent, their faces filled with misery.
Xi Yao glanced at the attendant beside the hall. Holding the imperial decree, the attendant sighed, then stepped forward and began to read it aloud.
"By decree of the Empress, all ministers kneel!"
"By imperial decree: I am weary and have decided to abdicate in favor of Ninth Imperial Uncle Hong Wang Xi Liang. Let this decree be known!"
"All ministers are to understand and comply. No objections shall be permitted. Thus decreed!"
The attendant sighed again, shook his head, and retreated to the side of the throne.
The ministers below were all dumbfounded. It took them quite some time to recover before the hall