Inside the Supreme Ultimate Hall.
Jiang Ning stood apart from it all, quietly watching everything unfold in the hall.
Before coming to the Supreme Ultimate Hall, he had thought he would become the focus of this court assembly, the focus of all the ministers.
But only now did he understand that within the Supreme Ultimate Hall, he was still no more conspicuous than the civil and military officials standing behind him.
Merely a backdrop to the verbal sparring ahead.
"Regarding today's matter..." Ji Xuan spoke again, his calm gaze sweeping across the assembled ministers. "This is a decision reached after consultation between this king and His Majesty. You ministers are being informed, not consulted."
Then he added, "As for appointing a crown prince, this king has also discussed it with His Majesty. Now is not the right time! Therefore, none of you ministers are to bring this matter up again!"
"Regent King, then may I ask when the right time will be?" General Shen Xiao, who had been silent for a long while, asked.
"General Shen will know in the future," Ji Xuan said.
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiao remained seated in his grand tutor's chair. He cupped his hands toward Ji Xuan from afar in salute, then said nothing more.
"Everyone, if there are no further objections, withdraw!" Ji Xuan said. "From now on, this king will preside over court assemblies in His Majesty's stead. Your memorials will likewise be reviewed by this king in his stead."
As Ji Xuan's words fell, no further opposing voices rose within the Supreme Ultimate Hall.
A moment later.
The court assembly dispersed.
Su Qingying rose and walked toward Jiang Ning.
"Let's go," she said blandly.
Outside, she restrained the respect she showed Jiang Ning.
She knew that showing him excessive respect in