Piercing Sun

Inside the Golden Throne Hall, not a sound could be heard.

On any other day, the moment Xu Yuan finished speaking, someone would likely have leapt out to denounce his insolence. Speaking up with a memorial before the ceremonial opening of court had been proclaimed was an affront to state ritual, an insult to supreme authority. Yet today, nearly all the officials clad in robes of every color wore much the same expression.

Eyes lowered, hands tucked into their sleeves, they stood in silence.

But this silence was not born of fear.

Imperial authority was rooted deep in their hearts.

There were many foolhardy loyalists at court who did not fear death, and even more upright officials willing to gamble their lives to show their progressive convictions. But not fearing death did not mean lacking brains. Both kinds knew perfectly well that even if they wished to sell their lives, they had to choose the right moment to fetch the right price.

The commotion caused by the Prime Minister's third son forcing his way through Meridian Gate had been tremendous. Any minister with even slightly profound cultivation could sense it, while those whose cultivation was too weak had already been informed through voice transmission. Now that he had committed another breach of protocol, they wanted to see just what Xu Yuan intended to do today.

"Tap."

"Tap."

Footsteps echoed.

According to Great Yan court etiquette, memorials submitted before the throne were to be presented by the Directorate of Ceremonial. But no one moved, so Xu Yuan could only deliver it personally to the Crown Prince.

The first glimmer of dawn was swallowed amid the rolling dark clouds. Only puddles remained, reflecting jade towers and jeweled halls. Dim light streamed through the hall doors and scattered within, making the vast Hall