Supreme Ultimate Hall.
Before the square.
The civil and military officials stood in ranks on either side, solemn and silent.
Even the unexpected arrival of Jiang Ning and Su Qingying only drew a few extra glances from the officials before they looked away. No one approached to exchange pleasantries.
Everyone could sense that something momentous would happen at this court assembly.
Since Emperor Changning had succeeded to the throne, he had never shown such diligence, nor had he ever summoned the civil and military officials to court at this hour.
Moreover, countless rumors had spread through the Royal Capital in recent days. Anyone could feel the dark currents surging beneath the calm.
At that moment, Jiang Ning stood behind more than a dozen people in the military ranks.
Those ahead of him were all first-rank court officials or kings of Great Xia.
Their total number easily exceeded what could be counted on both hands.
Among the civil officials, Su Qingying stood gracefully at the head of the ranks, unmoved by her surroundings.
Time passed. The vast square outside the Supreme Ultimate Hall remained utterly silent.
A quarter past the beginning of the hour of the Tiger.
Rumble-
The heavy palace doors shuddered and slowly opened.
As the doors opened, light shone through the gap, revealing a corner of the brilliantly illuminated interior.
The next moment.
The two towering guards in golden armor heaved in unison, one on either side, pushing the palace doors open.
Rumble-
Amid the rumbling of the opening doors, the Supreme Ultimate Hall, resplendent in gold beneath the lamplight, slowly revealed itself to the assembled officials.
Through the doorway, Jiang Ning saw Emperor Changning seated upright on the dragon throne.
He saw Ji Mingyue beside Emperor Changning.
He saw a middle-aged man standing before Emperor Changning, eight