The Ninth-Five Position

Following close behind were the civil and military officials, as well as the Three Education Committee Members.

Then, everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn to "Xue Qinghe."

She neither rode in a sedan chair nor traveled in an imperial carriage. Instead, she rode a snow-white unicorn at the very center of the procession.

Only...

This future emperor seemed to be smiling, but why did it look so fake?

Yet there was a trace of emptiness in her eyes, leaving some people in the square confused.

The Soul Masters standing at the front had sharp eyes and were the first to notice this unsettling detail.

"She doesn't look very happy." Yang Guyun was somewhat baffled.

She was about to make it. Why was she suddenly unhappy?

"It's not unhappiness." Zhou Qiubai's tone was unexpectedly serious. "It's confusion."

Quite a few people in the crowd shared the same thought.

"Why does His Highness the Crown Prince look so downcast? Isn't today a joyous occasion?"

The man beside her gestured for her to say less, but he himself could not help taking a few more looks.

"Indeed, why does the Crown Prince's smile look as though it was painted on?"

"And why does the Crown Prince look as if he's attending a funeral?"

Xue Xing and Xue Beng stood quietly in a corner of the viewing platform. Apart from several personal guards, no one stood within three paces of them.

Xue Beng wore a plain-colored prince's ceremonial robe. Though the fabric was of the finest quality, its dark hue made him stand out sharply among the nobles dressed in brocade and splendid robes.

His expression was even darker than his clothes. He stared fixedly at the figure riding the unicorn along the imperial road, his gaze too complicated to put into words.

Ever since