"Reporting to Your Majesty, these are today's memorials."
Vermilion palace walls soared into the clouds, their glazed tiles glittering with golden light beneath the sun.
At that moment, a woman clad in phoenix robes lounged carelessly upon a couch.
Her posture was exceedingly languid, her jet-black, glossy hair spilling across the couch like a waterfall, lending her an even more indolent charm.
She reclined against the cushions, one hand casually resting along the edge of the couch.
At the report, she merely fluttered her eyelashes slightly, yet did not immediately open her eyes.
That unhurried bearing made the splendor and bustle filling the palace seem like nothing more than a play that had nothing to do with her.
The eunuch attending her was the palace's chief eunuch.
Wei Wuyuan, known as the foremost man beneath the Tribulation Crossing Stage.
"Has the Grand Chancellor not come yet?" the Empress asked.
Wei Wuyuan said mildly, "The Grand Chancellor claims to be ill at home and will not attend court."
"He is taking offense with me." The Empress's delicate brows drew together.
Wei Wuyuan handed the Empress a peeled orange. "He is not taking offense with you. On one hand, he does not wish to defy the late Emperor's decree; on the other, he feels it is improper for a little girl to become Emperor. Not knowing what to do, he simply claimed illness."
The Empress nodded. "Helping neither side is the safest course. What an old fox!"
"Your Majesty, this servant thinks that having Her Highness the Princess become Emperor would actually make her easier to control."
"Her Highness has always listened to Your Majesty. Besides, she spends most of her time on Shu Mountain and knows little of court affairs."
The Empress shook her head. "Lu'er appears weak, but beneath that