Dawn light broke, and the mist gradually dispersed.
A dark black carriage passed through layer after layer of palace gates, finally stopping on the White Marble square before Chengtian Hall.
The square was broad as a mirror, and at this moment it was already filled with the civil and military officials, arranged by rank into neat square formations. Not a crow or sparrow made a sound; only the faint rustle of wind stirring the hems of court robes could be heard.
The carriage stopped. The curtain was lifted, and Jiang Ning, clad in a black robe with the Dongling Seal hanging at his waist, slowly stepped down from the carriage.
He had just landed when two young female officials in palace dress came forward to greet him. Both had delicate, pretty faces and dignified bearing.
The female official at their head looked to be just over twenty. Her figure was upright, her waist slender, and her manners had clearly undergone professional training.
She gave Jiang Ning a graceful bow and said in a clear voice, "This servant has received The Emperor's decree to respectfully welcome the Dongling Marquis here. Marquis, please follow this servant. Your seat has already been prepared."
Jiang Ning gave a slight nod and followed the female official toward the front of the square.
As he passed along the way, among the civil and military officials who had originally been standing solemnly, quite a few gazes quietly turned toward him—some in awe, some in curiosity, some in scrutiny.
Those gazes seemed almost tangible as they gathered on Jiang Ning, yet under his calm aura, they silently dispersed again, not daring to linger for long.
What had happened in Chenggan Hall some days ago, after fermenting over the past few days, had spread to almost every corner of