Ten days later.
The coronation ceremony.
Snow filled the sky.
Civil and military officials stood at either side.
The Golden Guard's dark armor looked even colder amid the snow, while dragon banners embroidered with golden dragons billowed in the frigid wind.
Chief Eunuch Wei Wuyuan, keeper of the seal, stood below the steps holding the Imperial Seal. This sacred artifact that stabilized the realm emitted faint golden radiance in the morning light.
As though it symbolized the empire's future.
The Minister of Rites said nothing.
Ordinarily, he should have loudly declared that the auspicious hour had arrived.
Yet it was not only the Minister of Rites.
Even the many ceremonial officials behind him held their breath as they watched the new Emperor.
Zhao Lu turned to look at the gathered officials. Led by the Grand Chancellor, nearly half of them had prostrated themselves beneath the jade steps.
Yet even more officials remained standing.
The Minister of Rites unfurled the bright yellow edict and proclaimed the Old Emperor's final testament.
That he would pass the throne to his daughter, Zhao Lu, was something the entire court already knew.
As Zhao Lu listened to each of the late Emperor's final words, she cast another deep look at her mother.
The Empress gave her a slight nod.
Yet Zhao Lu did not, as planned, publicly announce before the civil and military officials that she would refuse the decree.
Instead, she took a step onto the jade steps.
When the Fourth Prince standing beside the Empress saw this, he looked to the Empress and said quietly,
"Mother, this... this isn't what we agreed on. Did she change her mind at the last minute? Does she want to become Emperor?"
The Empress raised a brow and gave another meaningful look.
The Deputy Director of the