Great Qian Imperial Palace!
Morning light pierced through the Nine-Layered Palace Gates, setting the gilded palace pillars agleam.
Inside Imperial Pinnacle Hall, the civil and military officials stood divided on either side like clay statues and wooden carvings; even the folds of their robes seemed frozen in place.
Dragon Saliva Incense curled up from the bronze crane incense burners outside the hall, yet it could not disperse the oppressive air within.
At the head of the civil officials stood Prime Minister Zhao Xian, clad in a purple robe and jade belt, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the coiling dragon pattern upon it.
At the forefront of the military officials, Dragon Valiant Guards Commander Sun Lingyuan wore golden armor, the red tassel atop his helm swaying gently in the wind. His gaze was like a blade, radiating chilling intent.
But who could have imagined that Commander Sun, who held authority over the Imperial Palace guards,
had once been one of the personal disciples of this body's original owner, Lu Xuan.
Yet now, Commander Sun stood against the Lu Family.
Below the dragon steps, a chair fashioned from an entire White Tiger hide stood out conspicuously. This was the honored seat reserved exclusively for the Lu Family's Grand Tutor.
Since the founding of the Qian Dynasty, no one had ever received such an honor.
He could wear a sword to court and be granted a seat upon entering the hall. He truly stood at the very pinnacle beneath the sovereign!
One man below, ten thousand above!
"His Majesty arrives—"
The eunuch's shrill announcement tore through the silence of Imperial Pinnacle Hall.
The Emperor Qian Xi climbed the dragon steps at an unhurried pace. When the corner of his eye caught that empty tiger-hide chair, his eyelid twitched almost imperceptibly.
The entire court barely