The Change of Power

Hua Hong left surrounded by a crowd.

Though Ink Hidden Pavilion was the power center of the Prime Minister's Mansion, high-ranking figures at Hua Hong and Lou Ji's level rarely appeared here, aside from the year-end grand banquet and emergency meetings personally convened by Xu Yinhe.

As the Crown Prince who had "overseen the state" for the Prime Minister's Mansion for more than a decade, Xu Changge knew very well just how busy these people were.

There was no need to mention Lou Ji—throughout the year, the days she spent in Di'an could be counted on one hand.

Hua Hong was somewhat better off, but his affairs were piled as high as mountains. And for something like a chamber of commerce, many partnerships and inspections required his personal presence on-site.

For the two of them to happen to come to Ink Hidden Pavilion on the same day to report on their duties had likewise been a rarity over the past decade or so.

Was it because of the change in heir?

Even within small aristocratic families, such a major event would stir up upheaval both within and without, let alone in the Prime Minister's Estate.

Looking across the history of Great Yan, whenever a behemoth like the Prime Minister's Estate changed heirs, it was often followed by a large-scale purge—a purge of the former heir's close associates.

But with Father's long-established authority, the turbulence within the Prime Minister's Mansion should not be too severe.

At the very least, no one should die. At least, none of the upper ranks should die.

But that was all.

With Changtian taking charge, constrained by differing perceptions and judgments, he would certainly overturn some of the policies Xu Changge had once implemented.

And that would inevitably affect the distribution of benefits among the Prime