The chaos across the realm found its most direct reflection in the stacks upon stacks of memorials and government reports on the desks of the Council of State Affairs and the Privy Council.
News from the Council of State Affairs also passed through layers of informants into the palace, reaching the Empress Dowager and the Empress, leaving the palace in a state of anxious unrest.
It was not only the Empress Dowager and the Empress. Even the Crown Prince, who was about to ascend the throne, had fallen into distress. Indeed, he bore the brunt of the pressure.
"Across the realm, voices opposing Qiu are rising everywhere. Your Highness, Crown Prince, you must think this through. If you continue shielding this man, what consequences will follow!"
Every day, several aides in the East Palace emphasized these words in Li Yan's ear. Though it was the same old tune, coupled with reports from every region, it inevitably made Li Yan wary. Moreover, Li Yan was now worried whether the coronation ceremony could proceed smoothly. To say his resolve remained utterly unwavering would have been unrealistic.
Still, in his younger and reckless days, he had been egged on into opposing Qiu Yan, only to have his resolve shattered by Qiu Yan's disciple. The experience had left a deep impression on him, so he would not be easily swayed—
At the end of the day, Li Yan had only ever been a Crown Prince, never a true emperor. He had never experienced the feeling of a single word carrying the weight of nine tripods. In his thinking, he still lacked an emperor's mindset, and the matters he considered remained insufficient in scope.
In truth, many emperors throughout history displayed personalities after ascending the throne that differed from their former selves, some even ultimately