The Coronation Ceremony, Birth of a New Foreign King

The messenger knelt before the hall, still clutching the urgent report sealed with red wax. Chen Wuya raised a hand to stop Bai Zhi, his gaze falling on the document without immediately taking it.

"Black Cliff Pass." He repeated it softly, as though speaking to himself, or confirming something.

The agitation stirred by the urgent report gradually congealed under his calm. The ministers exchanged looks. Some murmured under their breath, some had flickering eyes, but no one stepped forward again.

Only then did Chen Wuya reach out and draw out the document. He merely glanced at it before closing it and casually handing it to a court official behind him. "Put it away. We'll discuss it after the ceremony."

The official froze, not daring to accept it.

"What are you afraid of?" Chen Wuya sneered. "Troops three hundred li away, with no provisions and no reinforcements, holding on by nothing but a mouthful of resentment. They dare come now because they think the royal banner hasn't yet been raised? Or because they think... someone among you still wants to put somebody else in that seat?"

His voice was not loud, yet every word struck like a nail, hammered into everyone's ears. Several ministers who had just been questioning whether the coronation ought to be postponed changed color slightly and lowered their heads.

Bai Zhi had already quietly withdrawn toward the palace gates. She said nothing, merely gave the guards a look. They immediately understood and waved their hands to deploy soldiers to seal off West Corner Gate. The drums and music began again, the incense burners were relit, and wisps of blue smoke curled upward, smothering the faint unrest from moments before.

Chen Wuya turned toward the steps of the main hall. The Second Prince stood there, still wearing his