Inside the Imperial Study.
The white-haired, emaciated emperor sat upright before the desk.
Beside the emperor, the Crown Prince, serving as regent, held the Imperial Jade Seal in both hands as though bearing the weight of Heaven and Earth.
The golden jade seal radiated dazzling light, its brilliance flowing like molten gold and spilling like rainbow hues. It stirred the National Fortune, and the entire Imperial Palace resonated with it! With the blessing of the National Fortune, the Crown Prince already possessed the strength of a Peak Expert within the Imperial Palace. Yet at this moment, as he held the Imperial Jade Seal, his hands trembled faintly, and he looked as though he were struggling.
At the other end of the study, First Councillor Ye Ze'an sat in his seat, helping organize the National Fortune.
Although the Crown Prince had already begun governing as regent, he had never controlled the National Fortune before. His methods were still crude and unfamiliar in every respect.
A monarch inheriting the National Fortune was not something accomplished overnight.
Prestige, popular support, the assistance of ministers, and the stability of the nation—all of these affected one's control over the National Fortune.
Although a monarch would possess the strength of a Peak Expert within the Imperial Palace as soon as he ascended the throne, even Peak Experts had different levels of strength.
Not to mention mobilizing the National Fortune, influencing the rivers and mountains across ten thousand li, and displaying all kinds of wondrous abilities within the borders!
All of this required one's comprehension and application of the National Fortune to reach a certain level.
Thus, the best way for a monarch to ascend the throne was to first govern as Crown Prince, gaining a period of "practical training." At the same time, the court had